Iranian Parliament Speaker Urges Balanced Debate on Negotiations with Adversaries

Tehran, The Gulf Observer: Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf has called for a more balanced discussion on the issue of negotiating with Iran’s adversaries, urging that the debate should not become a matter of rigid polarization.

Addressing a gathering of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Chiefs of Staff on Saturday, Qalibaf appeared to be speaking directly to members of Iran’s revolutionary front, emphasizing the importance of aligning with the guidance of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

“The Supreme Leader of the Revolution yesterday adopted a transparent and clear position about negotiations, and the president and cabinet members should definitely advance matters in accordance with the statement of the Leader of the Revolution,” Qalibaf stated.

He cautioned against creating two opposing camps within Iranian society, urging that the issue of negotiations should not divide the public into supporters and opponents.

Khamenei: Negotiating with the U.S. is “Unwise” and “Not Honorable”

Qalibaf’s remarks followed a statement by Ayatollah Khamenei on Friday, in which the Leader reaffirmed that negotiating with the U.S. government was neither wise nor honorable.

Referring to the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers—including the United States—Khamenei pointed out that Washington had failed to uphold its commitments. He also recalled that former U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and imposed a “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran.

“The Americans did not comply with that very agreement. The very same person who is now in office tore up the agreement,” Khamenei said, referring to Donald Trump, who abandoned the deal and ordered the assassination of IRGC commander Major General Qassem Soleimani in 2020.

Trump, who recently returned to the White House for a second non-consecutive term, has signed a presidential memorandum to resume his “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran. At the same time, he has expressed interest in holding talks with Tehran and reaching a new agreement, sparking debate inside Iran over whether engagement with Washington should be reconsidered.

“Trump is Martyr Soleimani’s murderer,” Qalibaf asserted in his remarks, underscoring that negotiations with the U.S. would lack honor, as stated by the Leader.

The debate over diplomatic engagement with the U.S. is expected to remain a critical issue in Iran’s domestic and foreign policy discourse in the coming months.