Iran has rejected negotiations “under the shadow of threats,” with Ghalibaf accusing Trump of turning peace talks into a “table of surrender” amid US blockade.
Iran’s top negotiator and parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has accused US President Donald Trump of attempting to pressure Tehran into submission, warning that Iran is prepared to escalate if negotiations are conducted “under the shadow of threats.”
His remarks, posted on X, come as uncertainty surrounds possible US-Iran peace talks expected to take place in Pakistan before the expiration of a fragile two-week ceasefire.
“Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table, in his own imagination, into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering,” Ghalibaf wrote on X.
He added, “We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield.”
According to Reuters, Iran is considering attending the proposed talks in Pakistan, though no final decision has been made.
A senior Iranian official was quoted as saying that Tehran is “positively reviewing” its participation, marking a shift from earlier positions that ruled out negotiations amid escalating tensions.
CEASEFIRE UNDER PRESSURE
The potential talks come as a two-week ceasefire in a conflict that has “killed thousands and roiled the global economy” approaches its expiry.
The truce, announced by Trump on April 7, is expected to end this week, with a Pakistani source indicating the deadline would fall at 8 pm ET on Wednesday, corresponding to midnight GMT or 3.30 am Thursday in Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said “continued violations of the ceasefire” by the United States pose a major obstacle to diplomacy, the report mentioned.
Araqchi conveyed Tehran’s position in a telephone call with Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar, stressing that Iran has yet to determine its next steps.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also criticised Washington’s stance, saying “unconstructive and contradictory signals from American officials carry a bitter message. They seek Iran’s surrender.”
He added, “Iranians do not submit to force.”
BLOCKADE DISPUTE COMPLICATES DIPLOMACY
Reuters reported that a key sticking point in the negotiations is the US blockade of Iranian ports, which Tehran views as a violation of the ceasefire framework.
A Pakistani security source said mediator Field Marshal Asim Munir had conveyed to Trump that the blockade posed an obstacle to talks, with Trump promising to consider ending the measure.
Iran has meanwhile used its leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route that handles roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supply, as part of its negotiating position.
Shipping activity through the channel slowed significantly, with data showing only three crossings in a 12-hour period, contributing to a roughly 5 per cent increase in oil prices.
US SEIZURE OF IRANIAN VESSEL HEIGHTENS TENSIONS
Tensions escalated further after the US military said it had fired on an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel heading toward Bandar Abbas following a standoff.
Reuters reported that the US Central Command released a video showing Marines descending from helicopters onto the ship.
Maritime security sources cited by Reuters said the vessel was believed to be carrying “dual-use items” that could potentially be used for military purposes.
Iran’s military condemned the interception as “armed piracy,” according to state media, and warned it was prepared to confront US forces but was constrained by the presence of civilians on board.
China, identified by Reuters as the main buyer of Iranian crude, expressed concern over the interception, with President Xi Jinping calling for ships to resume passage through the strait and urging a political and diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
