Iran's top negotiator and parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has declared that the country will no longer remain in a state of "neither war nor peace" regarding its relationship with the United States. Speaking during the opening of a virtual parliamentary session, Ghalibaf emphasized that Tehran is fully prepared for either further negotiations or direct conflict.
Ghalibaf stated that if the United States accepts seven "reasonable conditions," the possibility of an agreement remains open. While he did not explicitly detail the current list of seven conditions during his address, previous reports have identified them as including the removal of unilateral sanctions, the lifting of the US naval blockade, and guarantees for safe passage of commercial vessels and oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. Additional demands reportedly include the release of frozen Iranian assets, the exemption of Iranian oil exports from restrictions, an end to the ongoing war, and permission for Tehran to retain nuclear materials within its borders.
The negotiator issued a stern warning, stating that if the US makes another "mistake," the determination and capabilities of Iran's Armed Forces will dictate the geographical scope of any potential battlefield. Ghalibaf made these remarks while unveiling a new missile facility, which he claimed was constructed under enemy fire during the war. He characterized the facility as a symbol of a shift in the regional strategic balance.
Addressing the broader conflict, Ghalibaf praised the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force for challenging Israel and boosting the morale of Iran’s supporters. He also criticized recent comments made by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who had used derogatory language toward Iran's leadership and compared the IRGC to a "dangerous cornered animal." Ghalibaf suggested that US officials should focus on addressing their "strategic failures" in the Gulf rather than resorting to insults. Bessent also noted that he had moved from his Washington residence to a military base due to security concerns.
Domestically, Ghalibaf noted that the government remains focused on economic challenges, specifically unemployment, inflation, and price fluctuations. The ongoing tensions follow the launch of a war between the US, Israel, and Iran on February 28. Although a ceasefire was reached in April and a memorandum of understanding was signed in June, efforts to finalize a settlement have stalled due to disagreements over security and navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
