US Still Wants Iran to Surrender, Tehran Fights Back

Tehran — The Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Wednesday that the United States is seeking to trigger a new war and force Iran to surrender. He made the remarks after US President Donald Trump threatened to take military action if no deal is reached. Ghalibaf warned that Tehran is preparing a strong response to future attacks similar to those carried out by the United States and Israel during the war that began on 28 February. ‘Enemy actions, whether overt or covert, show that despite economic and political pressure, they have not abandoned their military objectives and are seeking to start a new war,’ Ghalibaf said in an audio message carried by Iranian media. He added that monitoring of political developments in the United States indicates that Washington still hopes the Iranian people will surrender. The statement comes amid high tensions in the Strait of Hormuz despite diplomatic efforts reportedly mediated by Pakistan to prevent renewed clashes and to achieve a settlement. Separately, Saudi Arabia urged Iran to use what they call the current diplomatic opportunity to avoid further escalation. Saudi officials also thanked Trump for providing additional ‘opportunities’ to reach a deal to end the conflict affecting the Gulf region and global markets. Ghalibaf, who previously led Iran’s delegation during talks with Washington in Islamabad last month, stressed that Tehran will respond harshly to any new military action. Trump, on Tuesday, reiterated that Washington still holds the initiative and claimed that Iran is seeking to end the war.