Qalibaf Says Iran Pursuing “Diplomacy of Strength” Following Conflict and Negotiations

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said the country’s recent diplomatic engagement with the United States was conducted from a position of strength, arguing that negotiations were used as a means of advancing national objectives rather than signaling retreat.

Speaking in a televised interview on Tuesday, Qalibaf, who has been described by Iranian officials as a leading figure in the negotiation process, said the latest round of talks differed from previous diplomatic efforts because Iran entered discussions with what he characterized as greater leverage.

According to Qalibaf, negotiations and diplomacy should be viewed as part of a broader strategy for defending national interests. He argued that diplomatic engagement can serve as a tool of political struggle and statecraft rather than an indication of weakness or concession.