Iran's Parliament Speaker Accuses the US of Violating Ceasefire Agreement
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Iran's Parliament, has recently accused the United States of breaching three out of ten points of Iran's framework agreement before negotiations even commenced, igniting a complex discussion surrounding the peace talks between Iran and the US.
In a statement made on his social media page on platform X, Ghalibaf emphasized that Iran's ten-point proposal serves as a "working basis for negotiations." However, he pointed out that the US has already violated this foundation, casting doubt on the very possibility of dialogue. The Iranian Parliament Speaker highlighted several specific instances that he believes demonstrate the American side's failure to uphold its commitments.
Ghalibaf accused the United States of not adhering to the ceasefire in Lebanon, as well as for a drone incursion into Iranian airspace in the city of Lar. Additionally, he cited the denial of Iran's right to enrich uranium, a critical issue for Tehran. "Now the very 'working basis for negotiations' has been openly and obviously violated even before the talks began. Under such conditions, a bilateral ceasefire or negotiations are unreasonable," the Iranian Parliament Speaker added.
This statement from Ghalibaf was a response to criticism from the US. Earlier, US Vice President Jay D. Vance accused the media and Iran of disseminating three different versions of the ten-point peace plan. This has further heightened tensions between the two nations, as each side attempts to present its version of events and circumstances.
The conservative publication Washington Examiner noted that the full text of the peace plan that led to the ceasefire has yet to be disclosed. This creates additional uncertainty, as the US and Iran provide conflicting information regarding its content. Such discrepancies only complicate the situation and undermine trust between the parties involved.
On the night of April 7 to 8, US President Donald Trump announced that he had agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, contingent upon the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that the US had already "achieved and exceeded all military objectives," and had also "made significant progress" towards reaching a final peace agreement. This statement elicited mixed reactions, as many experts believe the situation is far more complex than the Trump administration portrays.
Subsequently, Trump declared a "final" victory for the US in the war against Iran. Iran's Supreme National Security Council also claimed "victory" in light of the ceasefire, asserting that the "enemy has been brought to a state of historical helplessness and ultimate defeat." These conflicting statements only underscore how complicated the situation is and highlight the importance of finding common ground to achieve peace.
On April 8, Iran reported an attack on its oil refinery on Lavan Island, which constitutes a violation of the ceasefire terms. In response, Tehran accused the United States of a new breach of the ceasefire agreement due to extensive Israeli attacks on Lebanon. The White House, in turn, stated that the agreement does not extend to Lebanon, triggering a new wave of tension in the region.
On the same day, Iran also conducted missile and drone strikes against Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, indicating an escalation of conflict. These actions underscore the critical nature of the situation in the region and how significantly it could impact global security.