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‘If You Fight, We Will Fight’
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf delivered a defiant response to President Donald Trump’s recent threats, declaring they have “no effect on the Iranian nation” while signaling Tehran’s preparedness for both conflict and diplomacy .
“Trump’s recent threats have no effect on the Iranian nation,” Ghalibaf told reporters after returning to Tehran from high-stakes peace talks in Islamabad. “If you fight, we will fight, and if you come forward with logic, we will deal with logic” .
The Iranian parliamentary leader further warned: “We will not bow to any threats; let them test our will once again so that we can teach them a bigger lesson” .
Islamabad Talks: No Breakthrough, But Door Remains Open
Ghalibaf’s remarks followed the conclusion of historic direct negotiations between Iran and the United States in Islamabad, mediated by Pakistan. Despite 21 hours of intensive discussions, the inaugural round ended without a formal agreement .
While no breakthrough was achieved, officials from both sides indicated that the process could continue. The talks progressed through multiple stages—beginning with indirect exchanges through Pakistani intermediaries before moving to direct face-to-face sessions between the delegations .
Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar struck a cautiously optimistic tone: “We hope that the two sides continue with the positive spirit to achieve durable peace and prosperity for the entire region and beyond” .
Key Sticking Points Remain Unresolved
Several core issues prevented a final agreement :
| Issue | Iran’s Position | US Position |
|---|---|---|
| Strait of Hormuz | Control is “non-negotiable”; joint Iran-Oman sovereignty | Unrestricted navigation |
| Nuclear Program | Inalienable right to enrich for peaceful purposes (NPT signatory) | Broad prohibition on enrichment |
| Sanctions | Full lifting of all sanctions | Phased relief tied to compliance |
| Frozen Assets | Release of $6 billion as precondition | No agreement reached |
| Lebanon Ceasefire | Must be included in any settlement | Not included in truce terms |
| War Reparations | Compensation for damages | Not accepted |
Ghalibaf placed the responsibility for next steps squarely on Washington: “America has understood our logic and principles, and now it’s time for it to decide whether it can earn our trust or not” .
He acknowledged that the Iranian delegation entered negotiations with goodwill but remained cautious “due to the experiences of the two previous wars” .
Trump’s Threats and Iran’s Response
President Trump intensified his warnings during a Fox News interview, asserting: “I could take out Iran in one day” and claiming Tehran has “no cards” to negotiate with .
Trump stood by his provocative rhetoric, including last week’s warning that a “whole civilization will die tonight,” arguing that such messaging brought Iran to the bargaining table .
Ghalibaf dismissed these threats outright, emphasizing that Iran’s 47-year history of resisting military, economic, and political pressure proves the nation’s resilience . “If they fight, we will fight,” he reiterated .
Pakistan’s Mediation Role
Pakistan emerged as a crucial intermediary throughout the process. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met separately with both delegations before the talks moved to direct engagement .
Ghalibaf expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s efforts, writing on X: “I am also grateful for the efforts of our friendly and brotherly country, Pakistan, in facilitating the process of these negotiations, and I send my regards to the people of Pakistan” .
What’s Next
The fragile two-week ceasefire that created space for the Islamabad talks remains in effect, though its sustainability is uncertain. Pakistani officials indicated that another round of negotiations, possibly at a lower or technical level, could take place in the coming weeks .
For now, Ghalibaf’s message is clear: Iran will not be intimidated, but remains open to diplomacy—on its own terms. “We will combine diplomacy with strength to secure our rights,” he affirmed .
