Iran's parliament speaker warns US that starting a war is not ending it

Iran's Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has issued a pointed warning to the United States, asserting that President Donald Trump may have the power to start a war but not to dictate its conclusion. In an interview with CNN, Ghalibaf stressed that Iran remains open to negotiations, but only if they are genuine and not conducted under military pressure or coercion.

Conditions for Dialogue and Accusations Against US

Ghalibaf accused Washington of sabotaging diplomacy, claiming the US "bombed the negotiating table two days before the sixth round of talks with Iran." He defined Tehran's terms for dialogue, stating, "As long as the economic interests of the Iranian people are not guaranteed, there will be no negotiations." He emphasized that Iran "does not consider dictation to be negotiation" and warned that "negotiations in the shadow of war fuel tensions" rather than resolve them.

Response to Trump's "Armada" Remarks

The comments directly respond to recent statements from President Trump, who spoke of a "massive armada" moving toward Iran and called for Tehran to "come to the table." Ghalibaf suggested that if Trump desires a Nobel Peace Prize, he should distance himself from "warmongers." The exchange highlights the deep mutual distrust and the dangerous cycle of threats and counter-threats characterizing the current US-Iran standoff.

Regional Context and Internal Unrest

The heightened rhetoric occurs against a backdrop of internal protests in Iran that began in late December over economic grievances. Iranian officials have blamed the US and Israel for exploiting the unrest, vowing a "swift and comprehensive" response to any attack. For neighboring nations like Türkiye, which border Iran and prioritize regional stability, this escalating brinkmanship poses a direct threat to security and underscores the urgent need for de-escalation and genuine diplomatic engagement.