Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that Tehran should pursue military action and negotiations in parallel as its war with the United States approaches the seven-month mark, Middle East Eye reported.
In an address to parliament, Ghalibaf outlined an approach under which Iran would rely on military force at key stages of the conflict while turning to diplomacy when battlefield conditions strengthened Tehran’s position. He said the country would use its military capabilities to force back its adversary and inflict severe damage at critical moments.
Ghalibaf presented military pressure and negotiations as connected elements of Iran’s strategy rather than as opposing courses of action. According to his remarks, Tehran would seek talks when it held the advantage in the fighting. He described Iran’s stance in any negotiations as clear and rational, while also saying it was not open to alteration.
The speaker also linked the status of the Strait of Hormuz to commitments by Washington. He said the waterway would stay closed until the United States met those obligations. The source material did not provide details about the commitments cited by Ghalibaf or specify what steps would be required before the strait could reopen.
His comments indicated that Iran intended to continue using its military strength while keeping diplomacy available under conditions it considered favourable. Ghalibaf did not describe a timetable for negotiations, identify possible terms for talks beyond the fulfilment of US commitments, or give further details about the military measures he referenced.
Middle East Eye said the remarks followed reports from mediators in Pakistan and Qatar, but the supplied account did not include the substance of those reports. No further information was provided about the mediation, including whether talks had been arranged, what issues they might cover or how either side had responded.
Ghalibaf’s parliamentary address therefore set out Tehran’s broad public position as the conflict continues: military action would be used at decisive points, while diplomatic engagement would depend on Iran first gaining sufficient leverage on the battlefield. He also maintained that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed pending action by the United States.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/ghalibaf-iran-must-fight-and-negotiate-war-us-drags.