According to an Iran International English report of Wednesday 25 of February 2026, Iranian Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has warned that Tehran would respond with force if the United States (US) resorts to military action while negotiations with Iran are underway.
Speaking in remarks broadcast on state television, Ghalibaf said that any attack carried out during talks would trigger a firm reaction from Iranian forces. “If Washington decides on military action during negotiations, it will face a decisive and strong response from our forces,” he said. He also reiterated Tehran’s long-standing position on its nuclear programme, adding that Iran has never sought nuclear weapons and will not do so.
Ghalibaf’s comments come amid renewed diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington, as both sides explore ways to manage tensions that have persisted for years over Iran’s nuclear activities, regional influence and sanctions imposed by the US. While talks have continued through indirect channels, public statements from officials on both sides have reflected deep mistrust.
Iranian leaders have repeatedly framed negotiations as taking place under pressure, pointing to the continued presence of US military assets in the region and the threat of additional sanctions. Ghalibaf, a former commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a prominent conservative figure, has often taken a hard line in public statements on national security matters.
In his remarks, the parliament speaker accused Washington of using the possibility of force as leverage at the negotiating table. He suggested that such an approach undermines diplomacy and increases the risk of escalation. Iranian officials have argued that negotiations can only succeed if they are conducted without what Tehran describes as threats or coercion.
The US, for its part, has said that it prefers a diplomatic solution to disputes with Iran but has maintained that “all options” remain available to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. US officials have also accused Iran of advancing sensitive nuclear activities beyond what is necessary for civilian purposes, a claim Tehran denies.
Ghalibaf emphasized that Iran views its nuclear programme as peaceful and within its sovereign rights. He said that the country’s defence posture is designed to deter aggression rather than provoke conflict, while warning that any attack would be met with retaliation….See More
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