Iranian authorities remain defiant, call for street presence
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- Iran rejects US demands, urges supporters to remain mobilized in streets.
- Escalation risks rise as threats intensify over Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian authorities signaled continued defiance after high-stakes talks with Washington ended without agreement, urging supporters to maintain a strong presence in the streets as tensions persist.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Iran’s delegation at negotiations in Islamabad, said the US side “failed to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation,” underscoring the widening gap between both parties.
Read more: Trump threatens to ‘obliterate’ Iranian infrastructure if Hormuz Strait remains closed
The talks, aimed at ending the ongoing war, collapsed after Washington pushed for Iran to halt nuclear enrichment and relinquish control over the Strait of Hormuz, demands Tehran firmly rejected.
Street mobilization continues
Authorities praised supporters who have gathered nightly in major cities, including Tehran, for more than six weeks. Judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei said negotiators had “guarded the rights” of pro-government forces.
State media broadcast scenes of crowds waving flags and calling for stronger military action. A masked member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps told demonstrators, “If the enemy does not understand, we will make them understand,” drawing cheers from the crowd.
Officials framed the failed talks as a political victory, arguing Iran had resisted pressure and maintained its strategic position.
US threats fuel tensions
US President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric, announcing plans to begin a naval blockade targeting vessels entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz. He warned the US military remained prepared for further action.
Read more: Putin says Russia ready to mediate Middle East peace in call with Iran president
Iranian officials dismissed the remarks as “excessive,” accusing Washington of derailing negotiations with unrealistic demands.
Hardliners welcome breakdown
Several lawmakers aligned with Iran’s conservative factions said the failure of talks was preferable to concessions. Deputy speaker Hamidreza Haji-Babaei stated that only a United Nations resolution signaling US “surrender” and lifting sanctions would be acceptable.
Another lawmaker, Amir Hossein Sabeti, praised negotiators for “not backing away from red lines,” calling for continued resistance.
Escalation risks remain high
Analysts say the outcome suggests little chance of a near-term diplomatic breakthrough. Iranian officials indicated that while a full return to fighting may not be immediate, further escalation is likely.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned it would respond forcefully to any foreign military movement in the Strait, rejecting US claims of naval operations in the area.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Moscow remains ready to help mediate a political settlement.
Economic strain deepens
Inside Iran, the prolonged conflict continues to weigh heavily on the economy. Inflation remains high, job losses are mounting, and a near-total internet shutdown persists.
Authorities announced that schools and universities will continue operating online through a restricted national network, reflecting ongoing disruptions to daily life.
