Iran's chief negotiator and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said his country will not accept any U.S. deal that fails to secure Iranian rights [1, 2, 3].

The statement comes as Ghalibaf arrived in Zurich, Switzerland, for high-stakes talks regarding the implementation of a recently signed peace memorandum [1]. The outcome of these discussions will determine whether the two nations can move forward with a formal agreement or remain in a diplomatic deadlock.

Upon his arrival, Ghalibaf paid tribute to the victims of a missile strike at a school in Minab [1, 2, 3]. He specifically associated the tribute with the Minab 168 [1]. This gesture underscores the domestic political pressure and the emotional weight of previous conflicts as Iran enters these negotiations.

"The innocent children of Minab and all those killed during the conflict remain a constant source of responsibility and inspiration for Iran's leadership," Ghalibaf said [1].

The negotiator said that the protection of national interests remains the primary condition for any diplomatic breakthrough. He said that Iran will not approve any deal that fails to secure the rights of Iranians [2].

These talks in Zurich are intended to operationalize the peace memorandum, but the firm stance on "Iranian rights" suggests significant friction over the specific terms of implementation [1, 2, 3]. The discussions are expected to focus on the balance of concessions required to stabilize the region, a process that has historically been fraught with mistrust between Tehran and Washington.

“"We will not approve any deal that fails to secure the rights of Iranians."”

Ghalibaf's public insistence on 'Iranian rights' and the tribute to the Minab school strike victims signal that Iran is leveraging historical grievances to maintain a strong bargaining position. By framing the negotiations around the memory of civilian casualties, the Iranian leadership is signaling to its domestic audience that it will not make concessions that could be perceived as a surrender of national dignity or security.