Islamabad: Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has stated that the United States was unable to secure the confidence of the Iranian delegation during the 21-hour negotiations held in Islamabad under a Pakistan-facilitated diplomatic process.
In his first official remarks following the conclusion of the talks with the US delegation, Ghalibaf said the Iranian side presented a set of “forward-looking” and constructive proposals aimed at advancing a sustainable diplomatic framework.
However, he emphasized that longstanding mistrust significantly influenced the outcome of the discussions. According to him Iran entered the negotiations with goodwill and a readiness for engagement but without full trust in the opposing side due to past experiences and historical developments.
He further stated that the US delegation “failed to establish the level of credibility required” to achieve a breakthrough in this round of talks.
Ghalibaf noted that Iran had clearly outlined its position prior to the negotiations, reiterating that while Tehran was committed to dialogue, previous conflicts continued to shape its cautious diplomatic approach.
“The opposing side ultimately could not gain the trust of the Iranian delegation in this round of negotiations,” he said in posts shared on social media platform X.
He added that the United States appeared to have gained an understanding of Iran’s strategic logic and principles, but stressed that future progress would depend on Washington’s willingness to take practical steps toward building trust.
۳/ ما هر آینه، دیپلماسی اقتدار را روش دیگری در کنار مبارزهٔ نظامی برای احقاق حقوق ملت ایران میدانیم و لحظهای از تلاش برای تثبیت دستاوردهای چهل روز دفاع ملی ایرانیان دست نخواهیم کشید.
— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 12, 2026
During the discussions, the Iranian delegation reportedly put forward multiple proposals aimed at creating a long-term and stable diplomatic pathway. However, Ghalibaf maintained that the US side was unable to demonstrate sufficient credibility to reach a meaningful agreement.
The Iranian speaker also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s role in hosting and facilitating the high-level talks, describing Pakistan as a “brotherly and friendly nation.” He extended gratitude to both the Pakistani leadership and the public for providing a conducive environment for dialogue.
On domestic matters, he highlighted strong national cohesion in Iran and reaffirmed that the Iranian people remain aligned with their leadership under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He further underscored that diplomacy continues to serve as a key pillar of Iran’s national strength alongside defence capabilities, and that Tehran will continue to pursue diplomatic channels to safeguard its strategic interests.
Concluding his statement, Ghalibaf commended the Iranian negotiating team for what he described as “exceptional resilience and professionalism” during the intensive 21-hour deliberations, noting their efforts in maintaining engagement under challenging conditions.
