TEHRAN -- Parliament speaker Muhammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Sunday that Iran will not wait for any letter from the United States as the country relies on its domestic capacities.
Ghalibaf made the remarks during an open parliamentary session on Sunday, two days after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed in an interview with Fox News that he had sent a letter to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
Trump said he had warned Iran to open talks on a nuclear deal or be handled militarily.
“We will not await any letter from the U.S. and believe that by using the enormous domestic capacities and the opportunities for developing foreign relations with other countries, we can reach a position that leaves the enemy with no choice but to lift sanctions within the framework of continuing negotiations with the remaining parties to the JCPOA,” Ghalibaf said.
He was referring to the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which Trump abandoned in 2018.
Ghalibaf said Trump’s behavior towards other countries shows that his calls for talks are merely a “deception” meant to “disarm” Iran.
He said negotiations, accompanied by threats, humiliation, and demands for new concessions, will not lead to the removal of sanctions.
“Today, more than ever, it has become clear to the honorable Iranian nation that the lifting of sanctions is possible through strengthening Iran and neutralizing the bans,” he added.
Speaking on Saturday, the Leader said the insistence of some bullying powers on holding talks with Iran does not aim to solve issues but to assert their expectations.