Iranian Foreign Ministry: Received Messages for Peace from Friendly Countries, No Negotiations Held with US

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei said on the 23rd that Iran has received messages from some friendly countries in recent days regarding the US request to end the war through negotiations. Iran has responded appropriately based on its principled stance and has not held any negotiations with the United States.

In an interview with the Iranian News Agency, Baghaei emphasized that in the 24 days since the US and Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran, Iran has never held any negotiations or consultations with the US.

He stated that Iran's position on the Strait of Hormuz and the conditions for ending this imposed war have not changed.

Baghaei said that Iran has issued necessary warnings, stating that any attack on Iran's key infrastructure will have serious consequences. He emphasized that any action targeting Iran's energy infrastructure will be met with a decisive, swift, and effective response from the Iranian armed forces.

According to US Axios news website, Israeli officials said that multiple coordinating countries are attempting to arrange a meeting in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, between Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf, US Special Presidential Envoy Witkoff, former President Trump's son-in-law Kushner, and Vice President Vance, possibly later this week.

Iranian Speaker Denies Negotiations with the US

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf posted on social media on the 23rd, denying any negotiations with the United States.

Ghalibaf said that the purpose of spreading false news is to manipulate financial and oil markets, so that the US and Israel can extricate themselves from their current quagmire.

He said that the Iranian people demand thorough punishment of the aggressors. All Iranian officials will firmly support their leader and people until this goal is achieved.

Earlier on the 23rd, US President Trump pointed out that the US side had talked to an Iranian "leader" and had reached key points of an agreement; this person is not Iran's Supreme Leader. According to Israeli media reports on the 23rd, the US side is in talks with Ghalibaf.

On the 23rd, Iran's Fars News Agency quoted sources as saying that the so-called negotiations between Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf and the US are completely false news. One purpose of fabricating this false news is to create conditions for the assassination of Ghalibaf.

The source said that other purposes for creating the fake negotiation news include defaming Ghalibaf, creating division within Iran, and inciting public sentiment.

The source said that Iranian officials are unanimous in believing that fighting will continue until Iran achieves its goals and the aggressors repent.