Iran Says 'Open To Talks' With US If Negotiations 'Genuine' Amid Trump's Renewed Threats

Last Updated:January 29, 2026, 07:12 IST

Ghalibaf accused Trump of imposing his will rather than engaging in discussions with Tehran, after the US president threatened military action against the Islamic Republic.

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. (Reuters/File)

Iran Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran was open to talks with the United States only if the negotiations were “genuine" in reaching a real deal on nuclear weapons, while threatening to harm US soldiers if the Islamic Republic is attacked.

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump threatened possible military action against the Iranian regime, announcing a massive buildup of US troops in the Middle East. Trump told Tehran to “come to the table" for a fair and equitable agreement on nuclear weapons, saying that time was “truly of the essence."

In an exclusive interview with CNN, Ghalibaf said while Tehran was open to negotiations, he did not think that was “the kind of talk the president of the United States is after; he just wants to impose (his will on others)."

Ghalibaf expressed scepticism of Trump after he “ripped open" the 2015 nuclear deal and “threw it in the bin", while accusing the US president of ruining upcoming talks by green-lighting an Israeli attack on Iran just days before negotiations were to resume.

He said Tehran was willing to negotiate only if talks are “genuine", aimed at reaching a real deal, and conducted “within the framework of international regulations." He said Trump must “get free of the warmongers" and those pushing for Iran’s submission, if he truly wants peace.

Addressing the recent protests in Iran, Ghalibaf said they were part of a foreign-orchestrated “terrorist pseudo-coup" and asserted that the government would “never back down from seeking revenge for the blood" of the nearly 300 security officers he said were killed in the protests.

Regarding the buildup of US forces in the region, Ghalibaf warned Washington that Iran would retaliate if it were attacked, putting thousands of American servicemen at risk. “Maybe Mr Trump can start a war, but he doesn’t have control over (how it ends)," he said.

Trump Pressures Iran For New Nuclear Deal

The remarks came after Trump said a massive US naval armada, led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, was heading to the region and was “ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary."

“Hopefully Iran will quickly “Come to the Table" and negotiate a fair and equitable deal – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS – one that is good for all parties. Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!," he wrote.

The US President also referenced a previous US strike, dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer," and warned Iran not to repeat past mistakes. “The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again," Trump warned.

The warning comes after Iran, earlier, rejected the call for talks, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that “conducting diplomacy through military threat cannot be effective or useful." He added that Iran had not sought negotiations and that threats and excessive demands would not produce dialogue.

Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated amid ongoing unrest in Iran, where protests over the government’s crackdown have left thousands dead. Human rights group HRANA has confirmed over 6,200 fatalities, mostly protesters, while thousands more are believed to have been killed, with arrests exceeding 42,000.

News world Iran Says 'Open To Talks' With US If Negotiations 'Genuine' Amid Trump's Renewed Threats

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