Ghalibaf says US failed to earn Iran’s trust despite 'goodwill, forward-looking initiatives'
Speaker of the Parliament of Iran Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, after registering as a candidate, in Tehran, Iran June 3, 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Sunday said the US failed to earn Iran’s trust despite its goodwill and forward-looking initiatives during the latest round of talks in Islamabad.
The US and Iran failed to reach an agreement to end their war despite marathon talks that concluded on Sunday in Islamabad, jeopardising a fragile ceasefire. Each side blamed the other for the failure of the 21-hour negotiations to end fighting that has killed thousands and sent global oil prices soaring since it began over six weeks ago.
"Before the negotiations, I emphasised that we have the necessary good faith and will, but due to the experiences of the two previous wars, we have no trust in the opposing side. My colleagues on the Iranian delegation, Minaab168, raised forward-looking initiatives, but the opposing side ultimately failed to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation in this round of negotiations," he said in a post on X
"America has understood our logic and principles, and now it's time for it to decide whether it can earn our trust or not," he said.
Ghalibaf said Iran considered all forms of diplomacy alongside military struggle as tools to uphold the nation’s rights, and "we will not for a moment cease our efforts to consolidate the achievements of the forty days of Iran's national defence."
۱/پیش از مذاکرات تأکید کردم که ما حسن نیت و ارادهٔ لازم را داریم ولی به دلیل تجربیات دو جنگ قبلی، اعتمادی به طرف مقابل نداریم.
همکاران من در هیئت ایرانی میناب۱۶۸ ابتکارات رو به جلویی مطرح کردند ولی طرف مقابل در نهایت نتوانست در این دور از مذاکرات اعتماد هیئت ایرانی را جلب کند.The Iranian speaker said his country was “a body with 90 million souls,” referring to all the heroic people of Iran who, following the advice of the supreme leader and by taking to the streets, supported their children and sent the delegation off with their blessings.
Ghalibaf added, “For this, I am grateful, and to my colleagues in these intense 21‑hour negotiations, I say: well done, and may God strengthen you.”
He also extended his appreciation to Pakistan for facilitating the negotiations. "I am also grateful for the efforts of our friendly and brotherly country, Pakistan, in facilitating the process of these negotiations, and I send my regards to the people of Pakistan," said Ghalibaf.
۳/ ما هر آینه، دیپلماسی اقتدار را روش دیگری در کنار مبارزهٔ نظامی برای احقاق حقوق ملت ایران میدانیم و لحظهای از تلاش برای تثبیت دستاوردهای چهل روز دفاع ملی ایرانیان دست نخواهیم کشید.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that the US-Iran talks reached an agreement on several points, but views differed on two important issues, and it did not lead to an agreement. He added that talks conducted in an atmosphere of mistrust, it is natural that we shouldn’t have expected to reach an agreement in just one session.
In a separate post on X earlier, he said, "In the past 24 hours, discussions were held on various dimensions of the main negotiation topics, including the Strait of Hormuz, the nuclear issue, war reparations, the lifting of sanctions, and the complete end to the war against Iran and in the region."
Also Read: FM Dar calls on US, Iran to uphold ceasefire commitment
He stated that the success of the diplomatic process depended on the seriousness and good faith of the opposing side, refraining from excessive demands and unlawful requests, and the acceptance of Iran's legitimate rights and interests.
He also expressed appreciation to Pakistan and its people for hosting the negotiations and their benevolent efforts in advancing the process.
Baghaei added, "We have not forgotten and will not forget the experiences of America's breaches of promise and malicious acts, just as we will not forgive the heinous crimes committed by them and the Zionist regime during the course of the second and third imposed wars."
دیپلماسی برای ما ادامه جهاد مقدس مدافعان ایران زمین است. تجربه بدعهدیها و بدسگالیهای آمریکا را فراموش نکرده و نمیکنیم. همانطور که جنایات شنیع ارتکابی آنها و رژیم صهیونیستی در جریان جنگهای تحمیلی دوم و سوم را نخواهیم بخشید.
امروز روز پر کار و طولانی برای هیات نمایندگی جمهوری…He emphasised that the intensive negotiations, which began on Saturday with Pakistan's benevolent efforts and mediation, had continued without interruption.
"The Iranian negotiators are employing all their capabilities, experience, and knowledge to safeguard Iran's rights and interests. The heavy loss of our great elders, dear ones, and fellow countrymen has made our resolve to pursue the Iranian nation's interests and rights firmer than ever before," he said.
Baghaei concluded that nothing can or should deter them from pursuing their great historical mission toward their beloved homeland and noble Iranian civilisation.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to utilise all tools, including diplomacy, to secure national interests and protect the country's well-being," he said.
Read More: Vance leaves Islamabad
A day earlier, US and Iranian delegations arrived in Pakistan for conclusive talks following a two-week immediate ceasefire "everywhere, including Lebanon," announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who later invited delegations from both countries to Islamabad.
However, the talks ended without reaching an agreement as US Vice President JD Vance left Pakistan this morning, stating that intensive discussions with Iran failed to produce an agreement, though he appreciated Pakistan’s efforts.
"We have been at it now for 21 hours, and we've had a number of substantive discussions with the Iranians. That's the good news. The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement, and I think that's bad news for Iran much more than it's bad news for the United States of America," he said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
Later, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stressed that the US and Iran should continue to uphold their commitment to the ceasefire as talks ended without an agreement.
“It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to the ceasefire,” said Dar during a presser as US Vice President Vance departed this morning after announcing the conclusion of talks without any result.
Dar expressed deep gratitude to Iran and the US for responding to the call made by Prime Minister Shehbaz for an immediate ceasefire in the region and accepting the invitation to hold peace talks in Islamabad.
With additional input from Reuters.