Why it matters:
Speaker of the Iranian Parliament's comments demonstrate Tehran's resolute stance towards international pressures, prioritizing self-sufficiency and enhancing diplomatic ties with other nations.
The big picture:
U.S. President recently urged Iran to negotiate or face potential military action which drew reactions from Iranian authorities. Trump's remarks and the reaction of some Iranian officials to the letter come at a time when Iran's mission to the United Nations and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have denied receiving any letter from the US president.
What he's saying:
In response to the U.S. President's claims about negotiations with Iran, Qalibaf said, "These remarks seem to be a tactic to pressure Iran into disarmament, as noted in the U.S. policy document."
He added, "Lifting sanctions relies on enhancing Iran's capabilities and reducing their effects. We don’t depend on the U.S. Instead, we will use our domestic resources and international relationships to ensure that the adversary is compelled to lift sanctions through negotiations with other JCPOA parties."
Go deeper:
The call for strengthening diplomatic ties with other nations highlights Iran's intention to navigate the current geopolitical landscape by seeking support from allies to counter the U.S. hostile policies.
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Hossein Amiri
