Ghalibaf: Iran negotiates from position of strength

In an interview with national Iranian TV on Wednesday night, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf addressed various topics regarding the recent war and negotiations. He noted that the opposing sides had failed to achieve any of their nine stated goals for starting the war. Ghalibaf said he could speak from a position of strength in the talks because of the strong performance of Iran's armed forces and the people's nightly rallies.

Ghalibaf stated that negotiations had previously taken place during the 8-year Iran-Iraq war, resulting in the adoption of Resolution 598. He added that the nuclear negotiations and the JCPOA, along with negotiations in previous wars, were part of the country's negotiating history. He explained that the recent war had fully global impacts, with effects visible from geopolitical, military, and international perspectives. The war was imposed on them with the latest technologies by the world's foremost military, economic, and political power, alongside the Israeli regime.

The Speaker emphasized that in the recent war, two symbols had stood against each other: one with a monotheistic approach resisting the opposing party's arrogant approach, forming the fronts of truth and falsehood. He said they believed neither submission nor mere sloganeering existed, noting that chanting slogans without action made the enemy bold. He cited the ceasefire as an example: the enemy had been pursuing it for months while they refused, but when the decision was made, the enemy continued provocative actions in the Persian Gulf. He recalled the American helicopter incident, which was met with a decisive reaction, and that two invading frigates were hit and set ablaze, as confirmed by satellite imagery.

Ghalibaf stated that when Dahiyeh in Lebanon was struck, the United States was threatened with a response. Around 2:00 AM, Trump posted a tweet instructing Netanyahu that he no longer had the right to strike Dahiyeh. He noted that this outcome was achieved through both negotiations and military power. He emphasized that the Israeli regime intended to respond to their operations, but the enemy realized that when they spoke of negotiation, their sword was also ready. He warned that if they violated Dahiyeh, they would respond under any circumstances, even as the agreement was being finalized.

Ghalibaf asserted that whatever they had wanted to achieve through military action, they had obtained several times over through negotiation. He said the public saw how Trump announced a ceasefire by 2:00 AM not just in Dahiyeh but across Lebanon, speaking to Netanyahu with that tone. He noted that more than 50 percent of the displaced population had returned to their homes. He remarked that negotiation is a method of struggle, and while he has diplomatic experience, diplomacy is not his profession; colleagues in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs carry out this work professionally. He considers himself a combatant who pursues diplomacy with the spirit of a warrior.

Ghalibaf stated that every war could yield victories, but if those victories do not lead to a legal and political document, they provide no benefit. He said they had emerged victorious in the 40-day war, and this achievement had to be shaped and consolidated within negotiations. According to Mehr News, Ghalibaf emphasized that they were in the middle of negotiations stating that if the other side struck, they would strike back.