In a new interview, Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf asserted that diplomacy — backed by military deterrence — proved more effective than military force alone in reaching a deal with the US. Ghalibaf credited President Trump with lifting the naval blockade on Tehran within hours of signing the understandings, rather than the promised 30 days, and argued that negotiations are themselves a form of struggle.
In an interview published Thursday on Iranian Telegram channels, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said diplomacy — combined with military strength and internal unity — played a decisive role in the recent understandings between Iran and the United States.
Ghalibaf stated that Trump acted until 2:00 AM to secure a ceasefire across all of Lebanon, not just the Beirut suburbs, and claimed that the naval blockade on Iran was lifted the same night the deal was signed, rather than within 30 days as written. He described himself as a fighter, not a diplomat, but said the spirit of combat culture is fully applicable to diplomacy.
The comments come three days after the 'Islamabad Memorandum' was finalized, as reported by The Zioneer, following weeks of US strikes on Iranian targets and escalating military tensions. Ghalibaf's remarks reflect the leadership's effort to frame the outcome as a comprehensive victory achieved through a hybrid approach — force and negotiation — rather than a US-imposed settlement.
The interview did not address remaining points of contention, including the pace of sanctions relief beyond the naval blockade or the status of Iran's nuclear enrichment program, details still under negotiation in the 60-day follow-up phase.
- StrongIranian parliament speaker says diplomacy and military action are complementary, not contradictory
- DevelopingIranian Speaker Ghalibaf warns: 'We speak other languages far more fluently'
- DevelopingIranian parliament speaker: 'Iran has taken a big step toward final victory'
- StrongIranian parliament speaker Ghalibaf: 'Whoever opens fire will bear the consequences'
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