Parliament Member: Negotiation and War for National Interests Are Not Contradictory

Behnam Saeedi, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, described steadfastness as the main way out of the “neither war nor peace” situation. He said that negotiations and war are not incompatible in pursuit of national interests, and that Iran’s armed forces are prepared to respond to U.S. actions under any circumstances, even amid talks. He also pointed to the United States’ long record of reneging on commitments and repeated obstruction, including in connection with the recent memorandum of understanding.

• Behnam Saeedi, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, described steadfastness as the main way out of the “neither war nor peace” situation.
• He said that negotiations and war are not incompatible in pursuing national interests.
• According to him, Iran’s armed forces are prepared to respond to U.S. actions under any circumstances, even amid negotiations.
• In an interview with IRNA, Behnam Saeedi pointed to the United States’ long record of reneging on commitments and repeated obstruction, including in connection with the recent memorandum of understanding.
• He said the United States ranks first in bad faith and violations of international law.
• Behnam Saeedi said global distrust of the United States stems from its repeated reneging on treaties and international commitments.. Coverage difference: IRNA News Agency (Telegram version), Khabar Fori, and Etemad newspaper, in addition to Behnam Saeedi’s main remarks, also referred to his comments on the United States’ history of reneging on commitments and obstruction, as well as the country’s first-place ranking in bad faith and violations of international law. By contrast, Khabar Online and IRNA (main version) limited themselves to the first part of his remarks about the lack of contradiction between negotiations and war, and Iran’s armed forces being ready to respond to U.S. actions.