Qalibaf to Washington: Accept our conditions to end the war or face failure

In a new escalation of political rhetoric between Tehran and Washington, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued a stark warning to the United States, urging it to accept Iranian proposals to end the conflict in the Middle East or prepare for "failure after failure." Ghalibaf's remarks came in response to US President Donald Trump's assessment that ceasefire efforts were on "life support" with little chance of success.

Historical context and escalating tensions

This verbal confrontation comes amid complex regional and international tensions. The relationship between Iran and the United States has been marked by decades of historical animosity, which intensified significantly after Washington's withdrawal from the nuclear agreement (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) in 2018 and the reimposition of crippling economic sanctions under its "maximum pressure" policy. This policy has led to the deterioration of the Iranian economy and heightened the confrontation between the two countries across various regional arenas, from Iraq and Syria to Yemen, and through Iran's proxies in what is known as the "Axis of Resistance.".

The recent period has witnessed a dangerous escalation in the region, especially with the outbreak of war in Gaza, the repercussions of which have extended to include multiple fronts, most notably southern Lebanon, putting the entire region on the brink of a wider conflict.

Iran's conditions and the 14-point proposal

In a post on his “X” platform (formerly Twitter), Qalibaf asserted that “there is no alternative to accepting the rights of the Iranian people as outlined in the 14-point proposal,” warning that any other approach would be “completely futile.” While the full text of the proposal has not been officially released, media reports indicate that Iran’s main demands include:

• An immediate and comprehensive cessation of hostilities: This is not limited to one front, but includes all areas of engagement in the region, including Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon.
• Ending the economic blockade: Tehran is demanding the lifting of the blockade imposed by the US Navy on its ports, which is severely hindering its exports and imports.
• Release of frozen assets: Iran is seeking to recover its financial assets frozen in foreign banks under US sanctions, estimated at billions of dollars.

The nuclear issue and its regional and international repercussions

Iran's escalation was not limited to the political sphere; it extended to include the threat of using its nuclear program. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman for the Iranian parliament's National Security Committee, indicated the possibility of raising uranium enrichment to 90%, the level required to produce a nuclear weapon, if Iranian demands are not met. This statement represents a serious threat to regional and international security and further complicates diplomatic efforts aimed at reviving the nuclear agreement and preventing an arms race in the Middle East.

Such a step, if taken, would present the international community, and especially the major powers, with difficult choices, and could push towards a direct military confrontation, which the various parties have been trying to avoid so far.

Expected impact and foreseeable future

These statements carry significant implications on several levels. Domestically, they aim to garner popular support and project an image of strength and resilience in the face of external pressures. Regionally, they send a clear message to Washington's allies and Iran's adversaries that Tehran will not compromise on its interests and is prepared to escalate. Internationally, they put the ball in the US administration's court, testing its seriousness in seeking a diplomatic solution to the conflict and increasing pressure on international mediators to find a way out of the escalating crisis that threatens global stability and energy supplies.