Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Qalibaf said Thursday evening that the US approach to negotiations is 'theater diplomacy' that repeats itself, using bullying, broken promises, and fake news as pressure levers. He dismissed the notion of a 'massive attack' and said Washington wants to negotiate, but called on the US to recognize facts and fulfill its commitments.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Qalibaf on Thursday evening escalated his rhetorical campaign against the United States, labeling the American approach to negotiations as "theater diplomacy" driven by bullying, broken promises, and fake news. The remarks, posted at 21:32 Jerusalem time, dismiss Washington's talk of a "massive attack" as a pressure tactic, asserting that the US wants to negotiate but must first honor its commitments.
The statement is the latest in a rapid-fire sequence of Qalibaf's comments this evening. At 21:32 Jerusalem, The Zioneer published eight updates tracking Qalibaf's evolving rhetoric: he began by sarcastically mocking President Trump's "massive attack" threat—"Big attack on the way... wait, never mind, they want negotiations"—then accused the US of "failed theatrical diplomacy," and finally issued a formal statement demanding Washington fulfill its commitments. The sequence, reported by Israeli outlets ynet and N12, shows a coordinated messaging effort by Tehran's top negotiator.
Qalibaf, who heads Iran's negotiating team, has long maintained that diplomacy and military action are complementary, not contradictory. As The Zioneer reported on June 8, he stated that the goal of negotiations is to end the war and create lasting security, not to normalize relations with the US. In Switzerland talks in late June, Qalibaf scolded US Vice President JD Vance, asserting Tehran would not negotiate under threats. He has also warned that the Strait of Hormuz will not return to pre-war status, signaling a permanent shift in maritime policy.
The United States has not yet responded to Qalibaf's latest remarks. The status of the next round of talks remains unclear, with Iran insisting on implementation of the memorandum of understanding before proceeding to a final agreement.
8 developments
- StrongIranian Parliament Speaker Qalibaf: US claims of seeking peace contradict its military buildup
- StrongIranian parliament speaker says diplomacy and military action are complementary, not contradictory
- DevelopingIranian Speaker Ghalibaf: Diplomacy achieved more than military action could
- StrongIranian parliament speaker Ghalibaf says Iran never sought war but is ready to fight, advocates diplomacy
Source and signal
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