Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Wednesday that the agreement reached with the United States to end the Middle East war amounted to a declaration of defeat by Washington.
Speaking at an international conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, Ghalibaf said the outcome was not achieved through pressure or coercion but through what he described as the resilience and strength of the Iranian nation.
Agreement Reflects Iranian Strength
Ghalibaf told delegates that Iran had not been forced into the agreement and that the result reflected years of resistance rather than concessions. He said Iran’s position in the region had fundamentally changed following the war and should now be viewed with greater seriousness by the international community.
He added that recent developments had reshaped regional dynamics, placing Iran in a stronger diplomatic and strategic position.
Call for Regional Control of Middle East Security
The Iranian parliament speaker stressed that security in the Middle East should be managed by countries within the region rather than by external powers.
He said only regional states should determine security arrangements and policies, arguing that outside involvement had repeatedly destabilized the region rather than bringing lasting peace.
Message to Gulf Countries
Ghalibaf said Iran was prepared to cooperate with Gulf states on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs. He emphasized that Tehran had never interfered in the domestic matters of neighboring countries.
He said stronger regional cooperation could help ensure long-term stability and reduce the risk of future conflicts.
Ceasefire in Lebanon Also Crucial
The Iranian speaker also highlighted the importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon, saying it carried the same significance as a ceasefire involving Iran.
He said peace efforts should not focus on one country alone and that stability across the region required balanced and inclusive solutions.
Iran’s Role Seen as Changing
Earlier, during a media interaction after arriving in Baku, Ghalibaf said regional conditions had shifted following the war and that Iran’s role and influence should now be assessed differently.
His remarks underline Tehran’s effort to frame the war’s outcome as a strategic victory and to promote a regional security model led by Middle Eastern states themselves.
