Iran chief negotiator says no deal with US until Iranian rights secured

What happened

The New Arab reports that Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, declared on Sunday that Tehran will not approve any deal with the United States unless it guarantees the rights of the Iranian people. Speaking on state television, Ghalibaf said Iranian negotiators neither trust the enemy’s words nor its promises.

The remarks come as Iran and the US continue negotiations over a framework intended to resolve the war that has been ongoing since late February, a conflict that has significantly destabilized the Middle East. On Saturday, US media outlets The New York Times and Axios reported that President Donald Trump submitted a new deal framework with tougher terms for Iranian consideration, though it is unclear what these terms involve.

Key Iranian demands mentioned include sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets held abroad, which Tehran considers essential rights under any agreement. Since the conflict’s outbreak, Iran has exercised stringent control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transit route, framing oversight of shipping through the waterway as within its sovereign rights.

Known from the source

• Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran will not agree to any deal with the US that fails to secure the rights of Iranians.
• Ghalibaf made his remarks on state television.
• The US and Iran are negotiating a framework to end a war that began on 28 February.
• US President Donald Trump reportedly sent a new framework with tougher terms back to Tehran.
• Iran considers sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets as key rights under any deal.

What remains unclear

The ongoing tension around these issues underscores the fragile nature of the negotiations and signals continued volatility in Iran-US relations, with potential broader regional ramifications if a deal remains elusive.

What remains unclear: Specific contents and conditions of the new US framework sent to Iran. Verification of the ongoing war since 28 February and its current status. Any official confirmation of Iran’s claims on rights regarding sanction relief and asset release. Independent verification of Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz and related shipping oversight.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: The New Arab. Open the source.