Iran identifies “what hinders reaching an agreement” with America... and issues a “warning”

Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said on Wednesday that the United States “did not provide an official response to Tehran’s recent proposal aimed at resuming negotiations,” according to what was reported by the Iranian Broadcasting Corporation.

Qalibaf added - in statements that appeared to be an interview with Al Jazeera, excerpts of which were reported by the Iranian Radio and Television Corporation - that "Washington has not yet provided an official or specific response to our letter."

He continued, "Washington must meet seven conditions set by Tehran, before Iran agrees to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume negotiations with the United States."

He pointed out that “the lack of confidence in Washington” and what he described as “excessive American demands” are the two obstacles to reaching an agreement.

Qalibaf also stressed Iran's determination to overcome what he described as the current situation, which is characterized by a state of "neither war nor peace," indicating that transcending this situation will not necessarily be achieved through negotiations, but rather may be achieved through what he called "sustained deterrence."

He also warned that Iran would respond to any new attack, whether by the United States or Israel, and said: “If Trump decides to go to war again, he will face another defeat.”

He added: "If the United States or Israel initiates a war, we will confront them together and respond to any attack."

Qalibaf warned that "any long-term war will harm the countries of the entire region."

Over the weekend, US President Donald Trump said that it was “highly unlikely” that he would be forced to return the United States to war with Iran, as long as progress was made in negotiations related to the Iranian nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. This is an assertion that Trump repeated 5 times during an interview with CNN.