ISLAMABAD: The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Baqir Ghalibaf, has expressed cautious optimism regarding ongoing negotiations while mentioning persistent concerns over trust.
The statement, delivered after an intensive 21-hour round of talks, underlined both appreciation for international facilitation efforts and reservations shaped by past conflicts.
The Iranian official extended gratitude to Pakistan, describing it as a “friendly and brotherly country,” for its role in facilitating the negotiation process.
In this regard, the Iranian delegation had focused on its willingness to engage in good faith. However, officials noted that the legacy of two previous wars has significantly impacted their ability to fully trust the opposing side.
During the discussions, members of the Iranian delegation introduced what were described as forward-looking initiatives aimed at fostering mutual understanding and progress. Despite these efforts, the opposing side was ultimately unable to secure the confidence of the Iranian negotiators in this round.
۴/ همچنین قدردان تلاشهای کشور دوست و برادر پاکستان برای تسهیل فرایند این مذاکرات هستم و به ملت پاکستان درود میفرستم.
— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 12, 2026
The statement further indicated that the United States has come to understand Iran’s logic and guiding principles. However, it stressed that the responsibility now lies with Washington to demonstrate whether it can take concrete steps to build trust moving forward.
In this sense, Iran described diplomacy as one of several tools, alongside military readiness, to safeguard national interests and uphold the rights of its people.
The statement also mentioned domestic support, noting that millions of Iranians, guided by national leadership, have shown unity and resilience.
