Iran's Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump over what he called 'repeated theater diplomacy,' after Trump repeatedly announced he had ordered strikes on Iran only to later call them off.
Speaking on social media on Thursday, Ghalibaf argued that Washington continually shifts from military threats to offers of negotiations as a failed pressure tactic. He wrote on X: "'A massive attack is coming... wait, no, no problem, they want to negotiate.' That is repeated theater diplomacy. Using bullying + empty promises + fake news as leverage is a failed strategy."
Ghalibaf urged the U.S. to 'face the truth' and honor its commitments.
Earlier, on Saturday, Trump canceled plans for a large-scale military strike on Iran, saying Tehran and other regional countries had asked Washington to call off the attacks because a diplomatic breakthrough was imminent. Trump also claimed the deal would result in the 'COMPLETE OPENING OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ immediately, fully and completely' and end what he called 'Iran's nuclear threat.'
Iran is in talks with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran saying a deal is 'on the verge of completion' after the two sides agreed on coordinates for shipping lanes through the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy, was an open international route before Israel and the U.S. attacked Iran on February 29, sparking a months-long regional conflict.
Iran now asserts sovereignty over the waterway, part of which passes through Iranian and Omani territorial waters. The closure of the strait and attacks on regional energy infrastructure have sent oil prices soaring.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trump expressed confidence that the war with Iran was nearing its end, promising lower gasoline prices as the conflict winds down. 'I think it will end soon. I don't think they can hold out much longer,' he said in the Oval Office, adding that he was engaged in negotiations with Iran. 'I think we're making good progress.'
For months, Trump has repeatedly claimed Iran has been defeated and that the conflict is about to end. Iranian officials, however, have stressed they are prepared for a prolonged war.
