Iran says US talks show progress but far from final deal

TEHRAN – 19 April 2026: Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said ongoing peace talks with the United States have made progress but remain far from reaching a final agreement.

In remarks to Iranian state television, Ghalibaf said the negotiations had advanced but key gaps persist, noting that “several fundamental issues” remain unresolved.

He pointed to the recent round of talks in Islamabad, described as the highest-level engagement between the two sides since the 1979 revolution, reiterating that Tehran has “no trust” in Washington.

“The United States must decide to gain the trust of the Iranian people,” Ghalibaf said, slamming Washington’s attempts to “impose its demands on us.”

He added that Iran had agreed to the current ceasefire only after its demands were met, framing the move as a position of strength.

Ghalibaf said that Iran had “achieved victory on the ground” and that the US “had not achieved its goals,” while stressing that Tehran maintains control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.