ISLAMABAD — Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Saturday that Tehran approaches upcoming negotiations with the United States with “good intentions but no trust,” ahead of talks in Pakistan.
“Unfortunately, our experience of negotiating with the Americans has always been met with failure and breach of contract,” Qalibaf said upon arrival in Islamabad, according to Tasnim News Agency.
He accused Washington of attacking Iran during past negotiations, saying: “Twice in less than a year, in the middle of negotiations, despite the good intentions of the Iranian side, they attacked us and committed numerous war crimes.”
Qalibaf said Iran remains open to an agreement if the US demonstrates sincerity.
“In the upcoming negotiations, if the American side is ready to make a real agreement and grant the rights of the Iranian people, they will see our readiness to make an agreement as well,” he said.
He warned that Tehran would respond firmly if talks are used as a cover for deception.
“In the current war, we have shown them that if they want to use negotiations to carry out a fruitless show and deception operation, we are ready to realize our rights… relying on the power of our people,” he added.
On the US side, Vice President JD Vance said before departing for Pakistan that Washington is willing to negotiate in good faith.
“If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we are certainly willing to extend the open hand,” Vance said, warning that any attempt to “play” the US would be met with a firm response.
The talks, set to take place in Islamabad, come after Pakistan brokered a two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran earlier this week, around 40 days after the conflict began on Feb. 28.
Both sides are expected to explore pathways toward a lasting agreement to end the war.
Source: Saudi Gazette