Iran’s Qalibaf says no expectation of deal in single session

Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Sunday that no agreement was expected in a single round of negotiations with the United States, as he underscored a persistent trust deficit following the latest indirect talks facilitated by Pakistan.

In a statement issued on X following his departure from Islamabad, Qalibaf said Iran had approached the negotiations with goodwill and seriousness, but warned that past experiences continued to shape Tehran’s cautious stance.

“Before the negotiations, we made it clear that while we possess the necessary goodwill, our trust in the opposing side is limited due to our experiences,” he said, noting that Iranian proposals during the talks did not succeed in building sufficient confidence.

He said Washington now faces a decisive moment.

“Now is the time for the U.S. to decide whether it can earn our trust or not,” he added.

Reaffirming Iran’s approach, Qalibaf said diplomacy would continue alongside military preparedness to defend national interests.

“We consider diplomacy with power as another method alongside military resistance in defending the rights of the Iranian people,” he said.

He also thanked Pakistan for facilitating the talks, describing it as a “friendly and brotherly country” that helped ease dialogue between the two sides.

The remarks came after high-level indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without a breakthrough, highlighting deep divisions despite ongoing diplomatic engagement.

Qalibaf concluded by praising national unity, saying the Iranian people had shown steadfast support during the negotiations and recent tensions.