TEHRAN April 21, 2026 – Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has delivered a firm rebuke to U.S. President Donald Trump, declaring that Iran will not engage in negotiations conducted “under the shadow of threats.”
In a statement issued on Monday, Ghalibaf, who is also leading Iran’s negotiating team, said:
“President Trump wants to turn this negotiating table by his own imagination into a table of surrender.”
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.”
The remarks come amid a fragile ceasefire that ended the recent Twelve-Day War between Iran, the United States, and Israel. A two-week truce was brokered during talks in Islamabad on April 11-12, but fresh negotiations aimed at a permanent resolution have stalled.
Tensions remain high over key issues including Iran’s nuclear program, freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and U.S.-imposed blockades on Iranian ports. Washington has maintained pressure through sanctions and military posturing, while Tehran insists any deal must be reached as equals without coercion.
Ghalibaf’s statement underscores Iran’s determination to resist what it views as one-sided American demands. Analysts say the Speaker’s reference to “new cards on the battlefield” signals Tehran’s readiness to resume hostilities if the ceasefire collapses.
The development highlights the deep mistrust between the two sides as indirect talks continue. No immediate response from the White House has been issued.
About The Author
