Head of the Iranian negotiating delegation and parliament speaker Dr Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has said the United States’ declaration of a blockade is a crude and ignorant decision, questioning how other countries may pass through the Strait of Hormuz while Iran cannot, calling such a notion impossible.
In an interview, Qalibaf said there has been some progress in talks with the United States, though a wide gap remains. He said the adversary failed to achieve its objectives and thus faced defeat, adding it had expected Iran to surrender within two to three days, whereas Iran sustained a war lasting 40 days.
He said the adversary had assumed Iran would resemble Venezuela, which did not materialise. The United States also sought to involve NATO, yet found no support. During the conflict, he said, between 170 and 180 enemy drones were brought down, and a US F-35 fighter aircraft was also targeted, describing this as no minor matter.
Qalibaf said he would not enter into details of Iran’s military technology, though the adversary would have grasped the message. He warned that US minesweepers must not advance even an inch from their present positions, stating that any such movement would meet with certain fire.
The Iranian speaker said he had conveyed this position clearly to the American delegation.
He said Iran accepted a temporary ceasefire to allow the United States an opportunity to meet its demands, while US President Donald Trump accepted it due to Iran’s advantage on the battlefield.
Qalibaf said Iran stands ready for negotiations but does not trust the United States, terming talks as one method of struggle, adding that Iran continues efforts on three fronts: diplomacy, military strength and public support.
He said Iran seeks lasting peace to end the cycle of war and ceasefire, though such an outcome requires firm guarantees.
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