Qalibaf: The ball is in Washington’s court to earn Tehran’s trust after grueling 21-hour talks

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf indicated that “before the negotiations began, we stressed that we possess the necessary goodwill and determination, but we do not trust the other side because of the experiences of the previous two wars.” He said, “Members of the Iranian delegation put forward positive and progressive initiatives, but in the end the other side was unable to win the trust of the Iranian delegation in this round of negotiations.” He added, “America understood our logic and our principles, and now it is time for it to decide whether it is capable of earning our trust or not.”

He stressed that “the diplomacy of strength and respect is another path, alongside military struggle, to securing the rights of the Iranian people, and we will not stop for a single moment from striving to consolidate the achievements of the 40 days of Iran’s national defense.”

He thanked “the efforts of the friendly and brotherly state of Pakistan for facilitating this negotiation process, and I extend my greetings to the Pakistani people.”

He said that “Iran is one entity made up of 90 million souls. I thank all the heroic Iranian people who responded to the directives of the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, took to the streets in support of their sons, and sent prayers behind us. And I say ‘khoda قوت’ (may God give you strength) to my colleagues in these intensive negotiations that lasted 21 hours.”