Iran’s Top Negotiator Rejects Talks ‘Under Threat’ — Warns Regime ‘Ready to Reveal New Battlefield Cards’ as Ceasefire Looms

Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, declared late Monday that Tehran will not negotiate with the United States “under the shadow of threats,” warning Tehran is prepared to “reveal new cards on the battlefield” as a ceasefire deadline looms and the fate of renewed talks remains uncertain.

Speaking in a post on X, Ghalibaf — who has led Iran’s recent negotiations alongside Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi — accused President Donald Trump of attempting to turn diplomacy into “an instrument of surrender” through continued pressure, including a U.S. naval blockade.

“Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table — in his own imagination — into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering,” Ghalibaf wrote. “We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield.”

Iran’s Ghalibaf:

Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table— in his own imagination— into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering.

We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two… pic.twitter.com/WzjGkbDn4c

— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 20, 2026

Ghalibaf’s remarks underscored a hardening stance in Tehran just hours after conflicting signals earlier Monday suggested talks could proceed — only to be thrown into doubt again by Monday night.

Speaker Qalibaf: No talks with US under threat, Iran prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefieldhttps://t.co/s98pcHS64u pic.twitter.com/HTrCugaFj9

— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) April 20, 2026

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