Iran's Ghalibaf Defends Continuing U.S. Talks Amid Ceasefire Breach

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has defended the continuation of high-stakes diplomatic engagement with the United States, even as tensions escalate and critics question the strategy. Speaking after returning from the Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland, Ghalibaf asserted that diplomacy does not equate to weakness or friendship, particularly when dealing with adversaries.

"I have said many times that negotiation is a method of struggle," Ghalibaf declared in a televised interview. "Even now, when we are negotiating with America, we are not negotiating with a friend; we are negotiating with a malicious enemy who will definitely take action against us whenever he finds an opportunity." His remarks aimed to counter domestic and regional criticism that Iran was engaging with Washington while Israeli military actions continued in Lebanon.

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I have said many times that negotiation is a method of struggle. Even now, when we are negotiating with America, we are not negotiating with a friend; we are negotiating with a malicious enemy who will definitely take action against us whenever he finds an opportunity.

Ghalibaf highlighted the Burgenstock talks' primary achievement as establishing a concrete framework to stabilize borders and enforce Lebanese sovereignty. He rejected alternative security proposals discussed in Washington, which were seen as attempts to undermine Lebanese autonomy. Instead, Tehran and Washington agreed on a separate oversight mechanism. According to the ISNA news agency, Ghalibaf explained that the meetings focused on implementing specific articles of a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year.

The Iranian official confirmed that Iran, the United States, and Lebanon have agreed to form a joint committee to directly oversee the cessation of hostilities. Ghalibaf stated he had already coordinated with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and representatives from both Iran and the U.S. have been designated to commence work immediately. He further claimed that the diplomatic trip had positive effects on the ground, noting a downward trend in the volume of fire and casualties, which he attributed to the negotiations.

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When we can untie a knot with our hands, what is the need to untie it with our teeth? Basically, our trip was to consolidate this trend.