Iran stands firm against threats: Ghalibaf

WEB DESK: Tehran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has struck a defiant tone following the conclusion of high-stakes peace talks with the United States in Islamabad, asserting that Iran will not succumb to “threats” after US President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The inaugural round of direct dialogue, mediated by Pakistan, concluded early on Sunday without a formal agreement, according to Dawn News.

Despite the lack of a diplomatic breakthrough, the rhetoric from Tehran remains firm. Addressing reporters upon his return to the Iranian capital, Mr Ghalibaf warned that any further escalation by Washington would be met with an equivalent response, suggesting that Iran is prepared for both conflict and diplomacy depending on the American approach.

A stance of resistance

Mr Ghalibaf’s remarks come at a time of soaring regional tension, exacerbated by the strategic blockade of one of the world’s most vital oil transit points. “If they fight, we will fight, and if they come forward with logic, we will deal with logic,” the Speaker told state-affiliated news agencies.

His comments were seen as a direct challenge to the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” tactics. “We will not bow to any threats; let them test our will once again so that we can teach them a bigger lesson,” he added, echoing the sentiment of the Iranian leadership that sovereignty remains non-negotiable.

The path ahead for diplomacy

While the Islamabad summit ended without a signed accord, the door to future negotiations appears to remain ajar.

Officials from both the Iranian and American delegations indicated that while the initial discussions were difficult, the process itself could continue.

The role of Pakistan as a mediator has been central to these efforts, providing a neutral ground for the two adversaries to engage directly for the first time in recent years.

However, with the naval blockade still in place, the prospect of a de-escalation remains fragile as both nations wait to see who will make the next move on the geopolitical chessboard.