Trump’s approach does not constitute real negotiations: Ghalibaf
4 Min Read
Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stresses that his country is open to nuclear talks if it benefits his country.
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Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf addresses the media after submitting his candidacy for the Islamic Republic's upcoming presidential election in Tehran on June 3, 2024. (AP)
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reaffirmed on Monday that Iran does not reject negotiations, but emphasized that any talks must serve the country’s economic interests, particularly concerning the nuclear agreement.
“If the Islamic Republic benefits economically from the nuclear deal, we will sit at the negotiating table,” Ghalibaf stated. However, he dismissed pre-determined conditions set by the United States, asserting that President Donald Trump’s approach does not constitute real negotiations.
Ghalibaf accused Trump of attempting to impose his conditions through force before demanding negotiations, a strategy Iran will not accept. He recalled that Trump had unilaterally and arrogantly withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during his first term and had continued to issue executive orders against Iran in his second term, referring to the US policy of "maximum pressure" on Tehran.
His remarks echoed those of Iran’s Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei who had previously warned that certain arrogant powers insist on negotiations not to resolve disputes, but to exert control and impose their demands.
Sayyed Khamenei warns of malice
Sayyed Khamenei previously emphasized that these nations use negotiations as a means to introduce new demands beyond the nuclear issue, including restrictions on Iran’s missile production, military capabilities, and international influence - all of which Iran categorically rejects.
"The US is threatening militarism. In my opinion, this threat is unwise," Sayyed Khamenei said during a Ramadan gathering with university students. "Iran is capable of retaliating and will definitely inflict a blow."
The remarks came as Iranian media reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had received Trump's letter, which was delivered by senior Emirati official Anwar Gargash. Sayyed Khamenei, however, noted that he had not personally received the letter yet but described it as an attempt to "deceive the world's public opinion" by portraying the US as open to dialogue while casting Iran as unwilling to negotiate.
"We sat down and negotiated for several years, and this same person threw the finished, completed, and signed agreement off the table and tore it up," Sayyed Khamenei said, referring to Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal during Trump’s first term.
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has called for a new nuclear deal with Tehran while reinstating his "maximum pressure" sanctions policy, citing concerns that Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran has denied these allegations and has ruled out direct talks as long as sanctions remain in place.
Sayyed Khamenei reiterated this stance, stating, "Negotiations with the US will not lift sanctions… and will only tighten the sanctions knot."
On the nuclear issue, he stressed, "They claim they will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. If we wanted to make nuclear weapons, America could not stop us. The fact that we do not have nuclear weapons and are not seeking them is because we ourselves do not want them."
Iran rules out talks with US
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ruled out negotiations with the United States under current circumstances, stating that Tehran will not engage in talks while under threats.
In comments reported by Iranian state media on Tuesday, he directly addressed Donald Trump, saying, "It is unacceptable for us that they [the US] give orders and make threats. I won't even negotiate with you. Do whatever the hell you want."
The statement follows Trump's confirmation that he sent a letter to Iran's leadership, urging Tehran to negotiate a new nuclear agreement. Speaking to Fox Business Network, he said, "I hope you're going to negotiate because it's going to be a lot better for Iran."
However, Sayyed Khamenei has rejected the prospect of direct talks, calling them neither "smart, wise, nor honorable." On Saturday, he reaffirmed Iran's stance that it will not be bullied into negotiations, further pushing back against Trump's diplomatic overtures.
Despite claiming he prefers diplomacy, Trump has reinstated his "maximum pressure" campaign, aiming to economically isolate Iran and reduce its oil exports. He framed Iran's choices as either a military confrontation or a deal, saying, "There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal."
