Iran's chief negotiator warns of attacking US assets in region
Tehran, June 8
Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned of targeting US bases and assets in the region.
"They (US) are neither committed to a ceasefire nor believe in dialogue, and by demonstrating through the naval blockade and violation of agreements regarding Lebanon that they only understand the language of power," Ghalibaf on Sunday wrote on X.
"The naval blockade against the Iranian nation and America's green light today to the Zionist regime turn American and regime bases and assets in the region into legitimate targets. The hand of our armed forces is open, as always," he added.
Trump asks Israel for "more surgical" raids against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
"I would like Lebanon to have a better life. I would like to see a more targeted attack against Hezbollah. I think it should be more surgical," he said in the NBC News interview on Sunday.
Earlier on Sunday, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) struck a 'terrorist headquarters' in the Dahieh district of Beirut, in response to Hezbollah's firing at Israeli territory.
"In accordance with the directive of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, the IDF has just struck terrorist headquarters in the Dahieh district of Beirut, in response to Hezbollah's firing at Israeli territory," the Israeli Prime Minister's office said on social media platform X.
Last month, Ghalibaf said that Iran obtains concessions with missiles not through dialogue.
"We obtain concessions not through dialogue, but with missiles; in negotiations, we merely make them understandable," Ghalibaf said on X.
He noted that Iran has no trust in the other guarantees or words; only actions are the measure.
While outlining Iran's approach to the ongoing negotiations with the United States aimed at ending the war, Ghalibaf said that no action will be taken before the other side acts.
He emphasised that "the winner of any agreement is the one who is better prepared for war from the day after".
Meanwhile, the Trump administration claimed that its campaign of military and economic pressure has succeeded in bringing Iran to the negotiating table on its nuclear programme, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying that Tehran is now discussing issues that previous US administrations could not get it to address.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Ghalibaf says they "obtain concessions with missiles, not dialogue" - this is exactly the mindset that leads to endless cycles of violence. As someone who believes in diplomacy, I find this troubling. But honestly, both sides are to blame here. America's blockade is effectively collective punishment against the Iranian people. No wonder they're angry. 😠
As an American living in India, I can tell you this administration's "maximum pressure" approach isn't working. Trump asking Israel for "more surgical" strikes while Iran threatens to target our assets - this is brinkmanship that could spiral out of control. The US should focus on securing a ceasefire first, not expanding operations. 💔
I find it ironic: America talks about "rules-based order" while blockading Iran's navy and giving Israel a green light to bomb Beirut. Of course Iran will respond. The language of force is all that's being spoken here. India should stay out of this mess and focus on our own strategic autonomy. We don't need to take sides in a war that benefits neither us nor the region. 🤷♂️
Ghalibaf's statement is dangerous rhetoric. Targeting American and Israeli assets would be an act of war, not just a threat. But let's not pretend the US is innocent - their naval blockade is itself an act of aggression. The whole Middle East is a powder keg, and our government needs to ensure the safety of 9 million+ Indian diaspora in the Gulf region. Praying for peace. 🌏
I work in an oil trading firm, and let me tell you - if this
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