[87818] Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf: 'Our diplomacy is a tool for combat backed by military power'

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf: 'Our diplomacy is a tool for combat backed by military power'

In a series of televised statements widely reported by Iranian media channels, the Speaker of the Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, presented his worldview regarding the current negotiations, which he terms "diplomacy of authority". According to him, as published in اخبارفوری and آخرین خبر, the difference between the current negotiations and previous rounds lies in the fact that the achievements of the "field" (military activity) are now used as backup for the negotiations.

Ghalibaf claimed that during the attacks on the Dahiyeh quarter in Lebanon, Iran issued an ultimatum to the US and Israel. According to the report in حامیان پزشکیان, Ghalibaf noted: "When they attacked Dahiyeh, we threatened the US and issued an ultimatum; Trump was forced to tweet and order Netanyahu to cease fire." He emphasized that negotiation is a "method of combat" and that without military backing, the political achievements would not have been attained.

In reports by خبرگزاری ایرنا (the state news agency identified with government positions), Ghalibaf detailed that Iran is managing the campaign on 4 fronts: military, public (in the streets), diplomatic, and public service. He claimed that during the negotiations on the ceasefire agreement, Iran responded powerfully to American moves in the Persian Gulf, including striking warships and helicopters, while emphasizing that "Iran's sword was drawn" even during the talks.

Ghalibaf concluded that "everything we wanted to achieve through military means, we achieved several times over through negotiations," and that the purpose of the move was to remove pressure and fire from the public. Entities identified with pro-government factions, such as حامیان پزشکیان, highlighted the achievement attributed to national unity, while reports in تبریز خبرلری focused on Ghalibaf's demand to exercise absolute distrust toward the US during the dialogues in Islamabad.