Iran's Parliament Speaker Reveals Conditional Ceasefire, Warns of Military Response

Tehran - Ekhbary News Agency

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the Speaker of Iran's Parliament, announced that Tehran has agreed to a temporary ceasefire with "the other side," but stressed that this truce is conditional upon the fulfillment of Iran's demands. Speaking to Iranian media, Qalibaf asserted that this acceptance stems from a position of strength, highlighting significant advancements in Iran's air defense capabilities which, he claimed, decisively influenced the recent confrontation.

Defense Capabilities and Asserted Victory

Qalibaf elaborated that the period between the "12-day war" and the latest conflict witnessed a qualitative leap in Iran's air defense capacities. This development, according to the Parliament Speaker, was a crucial factor in shifting the balance of power on the ground, paving the way for what he described as Iran's "victory" on the battlefield. He indicated that this superiority compelled the opposing party to request a ceasefire.

In his discussion of the confrontation's developments, Qalibaf pointed out that former US President Donald Trump was the one who requested the ceasefire, attributing this to Iran being "the victor on the battlefield." He added that Trump failed to achieve his stated objectives, whether by changing the regime in Tehran or destroying Iran's offensive and missile capabilities. Qalibaf emphatically stated that "Iran is not Venezuela," alluding to the failure of US pressure to bring about fundamental political changes in the country.

Failure of External Pressures and Infiltration Attempts

The Iranian Parliament Speaker also addressed external attempts to destabilize the country, affirming that "enemies tried to introduce separatist elements across Iranian borders, but they failed miserably." He suggested that these attempts were part of a broader strategy of pressure and threats, which did not achieve their desired goals of weakening Tehran or forcing it to make concessions. Qalibaf added that "the enemy did not succeed through issuing warnings or setting deadlines, and therefore began sending messages through mediators," underscoring a shift in the adversary's strategy after the failure of direct pressure tactics.

Conditional Ceasefire and Distrust of the Adversary

Qalibaf reiterated that Tehran's acceptance of the ceasefire is temporary and explicitly linked to the other side meeting Iran's demands. These demands, which were not detailed, form the cornerstone of Iran's stance, viewing the truce as an opportunity to impose its conditions rather than merely a pause in fighting. He emphasized that his country does not trust the opposing party, referencing a long history of tensions and uncertainties in regional and international relations.

Concluding his remarks, Qalibaf issued a stern warning, asserting that any potential misstep by the other side would be met with a decisive and powerful response from the Iranian Armed Forces. He stated that these forces are "in a state of full readiness and prepared to respond at any time," reflecting continued high alert despite the temporary ceasefire agreement. These statements underscore that the truce does not signify a retreat in Iran's position but rather a tactical step aimed at achieving specific strategic objectives while maintaining the capacity for immediate military deterrence.

This announcement comes amidst escalating regional and international tensions, as Tehran seeks to solidify its position as an indispensable regional power. Qalibaf's statements affirm that any future solutions must consider Iran's growing military and defensive strength and its desire to impose its conditions on any agreements or settlements.

These remarks also convey an internal message aimed at boosting confidence in the Iranian leadership and its ability to protect the country's interests in the face of external challenges. Furthermore, they serve as a clear warning to any parties that might consider exploiting the temporary truce to undermine Iranian national security, emphasizing that the response would be decisive and immediate.