Ghalibaf says there are differences over the war with the US — The National
In Iran, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said there are differences within the political leadership over combining military pressure and diplomacy in the war with the United States. As The National reports, during a speech in parliament he said that over the past seven months the country has demonstrated its ability to counter aggression.
Two approaches to diplomacy
According to Ghalibaf, two opposing approaches exist in Iran's political and intellectual circles. One of them envisages rejecting any engagement and diplomacy, which, in his view, could push the country into an exhausting and endless war.
At the same time, the speaker criticized supporters of the opposite position who, he said, underestimate Iran's national capabilities, consider the country weak and propose accepting unilateral US terms. Ghalibaf called both approaches strategic mistakes that could weaken the state.
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He said that negotiations have no intrinsic value, but are not taboo either. In his view, they should be used to advance Iran's national interests, defend its rights and consolidate the gains that he described as the results of resistance. In an open letter published earlier, Ghalibaf outlined a position under which negotiations and military action should be used as necessary.
Strait of Hormuz
Ghalibaf's speech came several weeks after his public dispute with Hossein Shariatmadari, editor-in-chief of the conservative newspaper Kayhan. In August, Shariatmadari said that Western-oriented groups and reformists were using the speaker's comments on negotiations to portray him as a politician moving away from the revolutionary camp.
One of the key issues for Iranian officials remains the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran discussed arrangements with Oman to resume part of commercial shipping. Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran would obstruct any oil exports if the economic war continues. In Ghalibaf's assessment, both opposing approaches could lead either to a prolonged crisis or to concessions to the United States.
