The losing side cannot dictate terms
Following the adviser’s comments, US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire extension was dismissed as meaningless, with calls for Tehran to respond militarily.
Expanding on this perspective, Mahdi Mohammadi, senior adviser to Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, argued, “The losing side cannot dictate terms.” He described the continued US blockade of Iranian ports as a “siege” no different from bombardment.
Mohammadi also referenced Tehran’s deep distrust of Washington by calling the ceasefire extension “a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike.” He emphasised, “The time for Iran to take the initiative has come.”
Meanwhile, Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker, negotiated with the US in Islamabad. However, further talks with Vice President JD Vance were delayed and eventually postponed.