Iran’s Participation in Pakistan Talks Still Unclear, but Ghalibaf Says Dialogue Continues

Tehran-(Web Desk)-Uncertainty over Iran’s participation in US-backed talks in Pakistan has begun to ease after signals from Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf suggested that dialogue is still underway.

Earlier reports had raised doubts about whether Iran would attend the negotiations, citing rising tensions with the United States and disagreements over key issues. The uncertainty cast a shadow over the planned talks in Pakistan, which are seen as an important channel for easing regional friction.

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Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has said Tehran is continuing talks with the United States but remains prepared to take what he called “necessary measures” amid fears of renewed escalation.

“We do not trust the enemy. At any moment, it may escalate the war,” he said in televised remarks reported by Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency. “We are negotiating, but we are prepared for the necessary measures,” he added.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says Tehran is continuing talks with the US but is ready for “necessary measures” amid rising tensions as a two-week ceasefire deadline looms https://t.co/dbVdXk6GVx

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Ghalibaf said Iran had drawn lessons from the 12-day war last June and remained ready for any future confrontation. He also said the current tensions with the US and Israel began “through American deception in the middle of negotiations.”

His remarks came after US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American naval forces “intercepted” and “disabled” an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters also confirmed the attack in a statement carried by the semi-official Tasnim news agency. Tehran has vowed to retaliate “soon”, describing the incident as “maritime piracy”.