Tehran (The COW News Digital) Iran’s chief negotiator and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has said that the responsibility for preventing a renewed war now rests with the United States, following Tehran’s response to Washington’s position.
According to a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP), Qalibaf made the remarks during a televised address, stressing that Iran was prepared for both diplomatic engagement and potential military confrontation.
Addressing regional countries, the Iranian official said Tehran had delivered what he described as a strong and logical response to the American side. He indicated that Iran had communicated its position and was now waiting for Washington to decide its next course of action.
Qalibaf said the ball was now in the United States’ court, making it clear that the decision to prevent further conflict depended on the American government.
His comments reflected Tehran’s dual message of maintaining military readiness while leaving the door open for a diplomatic solution.
During his address, Qalibaf also issued a warning regarding Iran’s preparedness for a possible conflict. He said the country was ready for war and had its “finger on the trigger,” a statement intended to underline Iran’s military readiness amid rising regional tensions.
The remarks were directed at countries across the region, which Qalibaf said should understand Iran’s position and its readiness to respond to any escalation.
At the same time, the Iranian chief negotiator emphasised that Tehran had already provided its answer through diplomatic channels. His statement suggested that Iran expected the United States to take responsibility for preventing a further deterioration in relations.
Qalibaf’s comments come at a sensitive time, as tensions between Iran and the United States continue to raise concerns about the possibility of renewed hostilities in the Middle East.
The Iranian official’s remarks appeared to combine a warning of military preparedness with an appeal for Washington to make a decision that could prevent war.
While Tehran has stressed its readiness to defend itself, Qalibaf’s statement also highlighted the importance of the American response in determining whether the situation moves towards confrontation or diplomacy.
The phrase “the ball is in the US court” was central to his message, signalling that Iran believes it has already responded to the American position and that the next move belongs to Washington.
However, the statement did not provide specific details about the contents of Iran’s response, the precise terms under discussion or any potential timeline for further negotiations.
The remarks also did not confirm whether additional diplomatic meetings were planned between the two sides.
For now, Qalibaf’s message is that Iran remains prepared for a military confrontation but considers the United States responsible for taking steps to prevent a war.
His comments are likely to draw attention from regional governments and international observers closely monitoring developments between Tehran and Washington.
The situation remains uncertain, with the possibility of further diplomatic engagement or escalation depending on the actions taken by both sides.
