'Negotiating With An Untrustworthy Enemy': Iran Says It's Ready For War If US Talks Fail

Published 30 June 2026 · india

'Negotiating With An Untrustworthy Enemy': Iran Says It's Ready For War If US Talks Fail Published By, Last Updated: July 01, 2026, 01:29 IST Iranian

'Negotiating With An Untrustworthy Enemy': Iran Says It's Ready For War If US Talks Fail Published By, Last Updated: July 01, 2026, 01:29 IST Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf said that under the memorandum of understanding, vessels would be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz without charges for 60 days. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf speaks during a press conference in Tehran, Iran. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE) Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Tuesday said Tehran was “not negotiating with a friend" but with an “untrustworthy enemy" as talks with the United States continue, adding that Iran was prepared for war if necessary, even as discussions remain focused on implementing the memorandum of understanding (MoU). According to Ghalibaf, Iran is not engaged in fresh negotiations with the United States and will not begin talks on a final agreement until Washington fulfils its commitments under the MoU. “We are following up the process of talks to implement Article 13 of the memorandum of understanding," Ghalibaf said. He said Article 13 provides that, after the MoU is signed and subject to the implementation of the agreed provisions, Iran and the United States will begin negotiations on a final agreement covering the remaining clauses. Also Read: ‘Lot More Games To Play’: JD Vance Says Trump Trying To Gain Edge For US In Iran Talks Ghalibaf said Tehran’s current position is that it will not move to those negotiations until the United States implements key commitments under the MoU, including ending hostilities, maritime de-escalation, immediate oil waivers for Iran and the unfreezing of Iranian assets.

‘Negotiating With Untrustworthy Enemy’ Commenting on Iran’s engagement with Washington, Ghalibaf said Tehran remained cautious despite the ongoing contacts. “Even now that we are negotiating with America, we are not negotiating with a friend. We are negotiating with an untrustworthy enemy that will definitely act against us whenever it finds the opportunity. In truth, a person can negotiate well only if they are also prepared for war," he said. Ghalibaf warned that Iran was prepared to respond if the United States failed to honour the agreement. “If they refuse to implement what was discussed, we are also prepared for war. If it becomes necessary to do this through war and fire, we will do it. We said that if they respond, we will definitely respond again," he said. Ghalibaf further said that Iran, the United States and Lebanon had agreed to establish a committee to oversee the implementation of the end of the war in Lebanon. ‘Agreement Preserves Lebanon’s Independence’ On the issue of Lebanon, Ghalibaf said Iran’s agreement safeguarded the country’s sovereignty. “Our agreement preserves Lebanon’s independence. The guarantee of the agreement is our strength, not a UN resolution," he said. He also alleged that the Lebanese military was acting in Israel’s interests. Also Read: ‘No Plans’: Iran Shuts Down Buzz Of Fresh Talks With US As Envoys Kushner And Witkoff Reach Doha “The Lebanese Army is being placed at the service of the Zionist regime so that it can ensure the security of the Zionist regime," he said.