Iran's Regional Demands
Iranian Speaker Declares US Deal a Defeat, Emphasizing Regional Autonomy Amid Ongoing Peace Talks
Key Points
The War Powers Resolution vote in the U.S. Congress is described as largely symbolic and would not be sent to President Trump for his consideration, nor does it carry the force of law.
Ghalibaf framed the Islamabad Memorandum as reflecting the 'strength and resilience' of the Iranian people and insisted it was 'not the result of pressure and coercion, but rather the resistance and authority of the brave Iranian nation.'
The remarks were delivered at a meeting of the Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Trump published remarks on Truth Social criticizing the War Powers vote, describing it as meaningless and railing against Republican lawmakers who supported it.
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared the newly signed Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding a "declaration of America's defeat" on June 24, speaking at an Islamic cooperation summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. He said the deal — brokered by Pakistan and signed just days earlier — was won through Iran's "resistance and authority," not under pressure from Washington. Middle East Eye
The remarks land against a volatile backdrop. The U.S. Senate passed a War Powers Resolution 50-48 on June 23, directing the removal of U.S. forces from the conflict — a vote President Trump quickly dismissed on Truth Social as "meaningless" and "unpatriotic." TIME
Ghalibaf Frames the Islamabad Deal as Iran's Victory
Speaking at the 20th Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conference, Ghalibaf said the MoU reflects the "strength and resilience" of the Iranian people. He insisted the deal was "not the result of pressure and coercion." Iran lost over 3,000 civilians in the 40-day conflict, according to Ghalibaf's own figures, and 13 U.S. service members were killed. The Diplomatic Insight
Analysts say Tehran's "victory" framing is partly political. By calling the MoU a U.S. defeat, Ghalibaf shields Iran's Pezeshkian administration from hardline critics at home who may argue the government gave away too much on nuclear sovereignty. The deal does not include a comprehensive nuclear settlement — it is a 14-point de-confliction framework, not a replacement for the 2015 JCPOA. Kurdistan 24
Pakistan Brokered the Deal; Key Issues Still Unresolved
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a final agreed text on June 12. The MoU was digitally signed on June 14-15 and physically signed on June 17 — Trump at the Palace of Versailles alongside French President Macron, and Iranian President Pezeshkian in Tehran. The ceasefire took effect at 12:01 AM on June 18. A "Mediator Quintet" of Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt shepherded the process. Free Malaysia Today
But major gaps remain. Nuclear inspection rules, permanent sanctions removal, and security in the Strait of Hormuz are all unresolved. The MoU opens a 60-day window to reach a final deal, with a $300 billion reconstruction package for Iran on the table if talks succeed. Pakistan's Sharif warned on June 23 of "spoilers" trying to wreck the process and clarified that Iran's ballistic missile program was left entirely out of the MoU. Daily Mail
Trump Slams Congress as Senate War Powers Vote Passes
The Senate's 50-48 War Powers vote saw four Republicans — Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul — break with their party to join Democrats. The House had passed a similar measure 215-208 on June 3. Both votes are symbolic. The resolution would not go to Trump for his signature and carries no force of law. Daily Mail
Trump fired back on Truth Social, saying the vote made his job "more difficult" during final negotiations and calling Republicans who supported it "unpatriotic." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the war a "historic blunder" that cost 13 American lives. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found only 24% of Americans believe the conflict was "worth the costs." Kurdistan 24
Iran Pushes for a Middle East Shaped by Regional Powers Alone
Ghalibaf used the Baku summit to push a broader political message: Middle East security should be set by regional countries, not outside powers. He called for stronger cooperation among Islamic nations and rejected any external role in shaping the region's future. The remarks align with a narrative shared by Pakistan and Gulf mediators, who describe the deal as a "regional rebirth." The Diplomatic Insight
Washington is pushing back on that framing. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasized that U.S. military options stay on the table if Iran fails to move toward verifiable nuclear limits. VP JD Vance was set to hold follow-up talks in Switzerland, but those meetings were postponed due to what officials called "logistical challenges." The 60-day clock is now ticking. Middle East Eye
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