Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf told Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir on Saturday that the United States was “not an honest party” in negotiations aimed at ending the conflict involving Iran, according to Iranian state television.
The remarks came during talks held in Tehran as Pakistan intensifies regional mediation efforts intended to bridge differences between Tehran and Washington after weeks of fighting that disrupted stability across the Gulf region.
The conflict has left the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime energy routes, largely closed to commercial shipping despite a fragile ceasefire, triggering major disruptions in global energy markets.
Iranian state media reported that Munir also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in the presence of Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, with whom the Pakistani military chief reportedly held two separate meetings before departing Tehran.
Discussions reportedly focused on a 14-point proposal put forward by Iran, which Tehran considers the main framework for ongoing negotiations, in addition to exchanged diplomatic messages between the parties involved.
Qalibaf said Iran would continue pursuing what he described as its “legitimate rights” both militarily and diplomatically, while reiterating Tehran’s distrust toward Washington.
“We cannot trust a party that has no honesty at all,” he said, echoing repeated accusations previously made by Iranian officials against the United States.
The Iranian parliament speaker also warned that Iran’s armed forces had rebuilt their capabilities during the ceasefire period and threatened a stronger response if hostilities resumed.
“If the United States foolishly restarts the war, the consequences will be more forceful and bitter than at the start of the conflict,” he said.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that Washington had seen “some progress” toward a possible agreement, though he stressed that substantial work remained.
Iran’s foreign ministry, however, stated that differences between the two sides remained “deep and significant”.
Despite weeks of military confrontation, Iran has reportedly maintained its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, alongside missile, drone and proxy capabilities that both the United States and Israel say they seek to limit.
