Iran speaker accuses US of 'squeezing' Tehran for concessions

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf on Tuesday accused the United States of pressuring Tehran to accept concessions that fall outside the terms of a framework agreement signed in mid-June, warning that Washington's senior economic and defense officials are unprepared for the delicate negotiations.

Qalibaf said in a social-media post that "Americans think squeezing Iran harder will win concessions that were never part of the agreement," referring to the memorandum of understanding brokered by Pakistani and Qatari mediators that initially halted hostilities between the two nations. He described US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as "way out of their league," adding: "Stop waiting for the clown crew to pull a rabbit out of their hat and clean up the mess you made."

Negotiations collapse

The memorandum of understanding, signed in mid-June through Pakistani and Qatari mediation, had brought a halt to hostilities and opened the door to comprehensive talks aimed at a negotiated settlement. Diplomatic efforts have since collapsed amid sharp disagreements over the interpretation of the memorandum's terms and continued disputes concerning navigation rights through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy exports.

Hormuz dispute

Qalibaf's remarks reflect growing frustration in Tehran over what officials describe as shifting American demands that go beyond the original accord. The parliament speaker did not specify which new concessions Washington is allegedly seeking, but his pointed criticism of Bessent and Hegseth suggests Iranian leadership views the current US approach as erratic and uninformed. The breakdown marks a significant setback for regional stability after a brief period of reduced tensions.