Following U.S. President Donald Trump stating that he could talk with Iran, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran is not seeking a ceasefire and stressed the need to retaliate against the enemy.
In a statement shared on social media, Ghalibaf said Iran would not pursue a ceasefire and emphasized that a strong response is necessary.
“We are absolutely not considering the option of a ceasefire. We believe the aggressor must be struck so that it learns a lesson and does not attempt to attack Iran again,” he said.
Ghalibaf also stated that the existence of the Israel government depends on maintaining a cycle of “war–negotiation–ceasefire and renewed war,” which he said allows Israel to preserve its dominant position.
He added that Iran is determined to break this cycle.
Escalating tensions in the Middle East
The Middle East came to the brink of a full-scale war on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched an air operation against Iran called “Epic Fury.”
During the strikes, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and many senior officials were killed.
In retaliation, Iran launched the “True Promise-4” operation, firing thousands of missiles and drones at U.S. bases in the region, Israeli cities, and ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
In recent days, the clashes have spread to military bases in Jordan and Kuwait, while Mojtaba Khamenei has been selected as the new Supreme Leader of Iran following the death of Ali Khamenei.