Iran has signaled its refusal to bow to US pressure in ongoing negotiations, with senior officials warning that while progress has been made, major differences remain unresolved.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament and a key negotiator, said Tehran entered talks in Islamabad “with goodwill but amid deep distrust,” adding that the country remains prepared for conflict if necessary. Speaking in a televised address, he acknowledged advances in the discussions but stressed that fundamental issues—particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear program and the strategic Strait of Hormuz—are still far from settled.
The first round of US-Iran talks took place in the Pakistani capital last weekend. Shortly afterward, US President Donald Trump imposed a blockade on Iranian ports and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that handles around 25% of global crude oil trade. Iran initially opened the strait to commercial traffic on Friday, citing regional de-escalation measures linked to the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, but reversed the decision the next day after Trump reaffirmed that the blockade would remain until a peace agreement is reached.
Ghalibaf warned that Washington is seeking to destabilize Iran by inciting unrest along its western and eastern borders, and dismissed attempts to “Venezuelize” the country as failed. “It is clear that the enemy was defeated, but this is different from saying that we destroyed its army,” he said.
On Saturday, Trump described the talks as “very good conversations” but insisted the US would not allow Iran to “blackmail” Washington over the strait. With negotiations ongoing, both sides appear entrenched, and the path to a comprehensive agreement remains uncertain.
