Iran not opposed to dialogue but seeks diplomacy based on mutual respect: Qalibaf

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf says Tehran does not oppose the principle of dialogue and diplomacy, which must be genuine and balanced, based on mutual respect and backed by guarantees.

In an interview with CNN published on Thursday, Qalibaf said negotiations under the shadow of war fuels tensions and insecurity, expressing Iran’s readiness for sincere talks in accordance with international rules and regulations.

He emphasized that US President Donald Trump has so far proved that he seeks to impose his own political views through the threat of war.

Qalibaf also referred to the US aggression against Iran in June 2025, saying it took place just two days before the sixth rounds of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran.

“As long as there are no guarantees for the rights of the Iranian nation, [as long as] the economic interests and benefits of the Iranian nation are not secured, and [as long as] the dignity of the Iranian nation is not respected, naturally there can be no talk of negotiations because we do not consider dictation, imposition, or surrender as negotiation,” the top Iranian parliamentarian pointed out.

He said Trump must take measures toward achieving "real peace” if he truly seeks one and claims to deserve the Nobel Peace Prize.

FM Araghchi: Negotiations cannot work under threats

Araghchi says that imposing diplomacy through military threats cannot be effective or productive.

The remarks come amid escalated rhetoric by Trump, who recently threatened fresh military aggression against Iran. Washington has just deployed the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying strike group to West Asia near Iran.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday warned that imposing diplomacy through military threats cannot be effective or productive, saying that no decision has yet been made regarding negotiations with the United States.

Iran will seek justice for victims of riots in international courts

Elsewhere in his interview, Qalibaf said Iran will establish legal procedures and seriously seek justice for the victims of the recent terrorist riots, both in international forums and courts and within the country.

“These crimes must be documented and their perpetrators held accountable,” the Parliament speaker added.

He expressed his deep sorrow at the “bitter” incidents which he said led to the killing of more than 2,500 individuals, noting that pursuing accountability for the tragedy is an “absolute duty.”

Qalibaf described the Iranian nation as a victim of terrorism.

He emphasized that the riots were an outcome of the direct involvement and a plot hatched by foreign enemies, saying even relevant agents have admitted their responsibility in the terrorist incidents.

He added that some 300 police forces were killed in the armed attacks in just two days which was the result of an “organized and directed action from outside the country and a behavior with a terrorist and Daesh-like pattern” with the purpose of creating a "quasi- coup" through terrorist acts.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk