12.04.2026 23:55
A clear message came from Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, who heads the Iranian delegation participating in negotiations with the U.S. in Pakistan. Qalibaf stated that the threats of U.S. President Donald Trump, who said, "Any Iranian who fires at ships will be sent to hell," have no effect on the Iranian people, noting that the U.S. Navy is set to initiate a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. He added, "If you fight, we will fight, and if you approach with logic, we will respond with logic."
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf, who headed the Iranian delegation participating in negotiations with the US in Islamabad, Pakistan, made a statement to the press after returning to his country.
“THREATS HAVE NO IMPACT ON THE IRANIAN PEOPLE”
Qalibaf reported that the negotiations were "very intense, serious, and difficult," stating that they had told the US side from the beginning that they did not trust them, as they had been attacked twice during the negotiations. Thanking the Iranian delegation for the discussions that lasted more than 20 hours, Qalibaf expressed that the threats made by US President Donald Trump had no effect on the Iranian people and that they had proven this.
“IF YOU FIGHT, WE WILL FIGHT; IF YOU APPROACH WITH LOGIC, WE WILL RESPOND WITH LOGIC”
Qalibaf stated, "If the US wants to find a way out for itself, there is only one way, which is to make a decision and gain the trust of the Iranian people." He addressed the US: "If you fight, we will fight, and if you approach with logic, we will respond with logic. We will not bow to any threat. If they test our will once again, we will give them a bigger lesson."
TRUMP: ANY IRANIAN WHO FIRES AT US OR PEACEFUL SHIPS WILL BE SENT TO HELL
US President Donald Trump made a new threat against Iran in his first statement after the inconclusive negotiations. Trump stated that the US Navy would begin the process of blockading the Strait of Hormuz, saying, “We will reach a basis where everyone is allowed to enter and exit. We will also start to destroy the mines that the Iranians have laid in the strait. Any Iranian who fires at us or peaceful ships will be sent to hell.”
FIRST RESPONSE FROM IRAN TO TRUMP'S THREAT: ANY WRONG MOVE WILL TRAP YOU IN A DEADLY WHIRLPOOL
The first response from Iran to Trump's threat came from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The social media account of the IRGC Navy shared images related to the Strait of Hormuz. The shared images showed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) conducting surveillance over the Strait of Hormuz. In the statement published along with the images, it was stated, "All traffic is under the control of the armed forces. Any wrong move will trap the enemy in a deadly whirlpool in the Strait of Hormuz."
“ANY MILITARY VESSEL APPROACHING THE STRAIT WILL BE CONSIDERED A CEASEFIRE VIOLATION”
In a second statement made by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, it was stated, "The IRGC Navy reports that, contrary to the baseless claims of some enemy officials, the Strait of Hormuz is under intelligent control and management and is open to the passage of harmless civilian vessels within the established rules. However, for whatever reason, any military vessel attempting to approach the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a ceasefire violation and will be responded to harshly."
NO RESULTS FROM 21-HOUR MEETINGS
No results emerged from the critical negotiations lasting 21 hours between the US and Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan. The US side presented a proposal that included the complete termination of Iran's nuclear program. Tehran rejected this demand and put its own proposal on the table. The negotiations reached a deadlock as neither side took a step back. US Vice President J.D. Vance summarized the reason for the deadlock, saying, "We clearly laid out our red lines, but Iran preferred not to accept these conditions." Iranian media suggested that the reason for the failure to reach a common framework and agreement in the Tehran-Washington talks in Islamabad was the excessive demands of the US.
MILITARY PRESSURE YIELDED NO RESULTS
Following the inconclusive talks in Geneva in February, the extensive attacks initiated by the US against Iran also did not yield the expected results. According to Pentagon data, despite operations lasting 38 days that targeted more than 13,000 sites, Iran did not back down. The Tehran administration clearly stated that military pressure would not change its decisions.
IRAN'S MESSAGE OF DETERMINATION
The Iranian Foreign Ministry emphasized in a statement after the talks that it would not back down regarding the country's nuclear program. The statement said, "Our determination to defend the interests and rights of our nation has been further strengthened." Iran rejected demands for the complete termination of its nuclear activities, considering them a matter of sovereign rights.
THE CRISIS CENTERS AROUND THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ
One of the most critical topics of the negotiations was the Strait of Hormuz. While Iran prioritized the control and security of the strait, no consensus was reached with the US on this issue. Experts believe that a potential conflict could deeply shake global energy markets. Previous crises in the Strait of Hormuz had led to significant economic fluctuations worldwide due to disruptions in approximately 20% of oil supply.
TWO OPTIONS ON THE TABLE: LONG NEGOTIATIONS OR WAR
According to an analysis by The New York Times, the US administration will either enter a new negotiation process with Iran that could last for years or take the risk of a large-scale conflict that includes control of the Strait of Hormuz. The maintenance of the current positions by both sides weakens the likelihood of a new consensus in the short term while indicating that tensions in the region will continue.