Iran’s Parliamentary Speaker: No Surrender, Nation Prepared for Full Defense
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, recently delivered a significant address on regional tensions and Iran-U.S. relations. He stated that Iran has never sought war, but will not yield to external coercion.
Exposing External Miscalculations: Short-Term Pressure Failed to Bend Iran
Ghalibaf revealed that before the recent escalation, the United States, Israel, and NATO believed they could force Iran into submission within a short period. That assumption, however, proved incorrect. He suggested that Washington’s later push for a ceasefire stemmed largely from its own economic, political, and public opinion pressures.
Strength as a Prerequisite for Talks: Only Readiness Warrants Negotiation
“We do not trust the United States,” Ghalibaf stated bluntly. He emphasized Iran’s clear and pragmatic diplomatic logic: only by being fully prepared for war does Iran earn the right to negotiate with Washington. This posture, backed by deterrence, is viewed as central to Tehran’s strategy in navigating complex geopolitical rivalries.
Drawing a Clear Red Line: U.S. Breach Would Trigger Comprehensive Defense
Ghalibaf issued a direct warning to the United States. He declared that if Washington “breaks the mutual understanding memorandum reached between the two sides,” Iran will immediately activate a “full defense” posture to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and interests. He added that while the international community desires an end to the war, everyone should be clear: this conflict will not end with Iran’s surrender.
The remarks reaffirm Iran’s strategic bottom line amid heightened tensions—tying defensive readiness to diplomatic conditions and projecting a firm yet calibrated stance.