TEHRAN — Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that implementing a memorandum of understanding with the United States remains “difficult but possible,” emphasizing that diplomacy must preserve what he described as Iran’s “battlefield gains.”
Ghalibaf, who has led negotiations with Washington, made the remarks during meetings in Tehran with senior regional political figures, according to Iranian media reports.
He said diplomatic engagement should be able to resolve military deadlocks while safeguarding the achievements of what Iran calls the “resistance front,” a term used to describe its regional allies.
“This can only happen when the country remains fully prepared for defence alongside diplomacy,” he said, stressing that negotiations must be backed by military readiness.
The Iranian speaker also indicated that talks between Tehran and Washington had stalled at different points due to regional hostilities, but insisted that elements of the agreement had been preserved and were being implemented.
He said Iran had pushed for clauses ensuring the protection of territorial integrity in regional countries and an end to attacks on allied forces, adding that such provisions were included in the final text.
The memorandum, according to Iranian officials, was brokered following months of indirect negotiations and aimed at reducing tensions, restoring limited security coordination, and managing regional flashpoints.
Despite the diplomatic framework, Ghalibaf reiterated that deep differences remain between Tehran and Washington, and warned that implementation would remain challenging.
Iran has repeatedly stated that it will continue to combine diplomatic engagement with military preparedness as it navigates relations with the United States and its regional allies.
