Iran Parliament Speaker Says Military Operations Complement Diplomacy

TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bakir Kalibaf said military operations do not preclude diplomatic engagement, and that negotiations aim to end warfare. Kalibaf said Sunday that recent tensions stem from the United States violating a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and implementing a naval blockade. He claimed President Donald Trump's statements about a memorandum of understanding contradict the agreement's terms, asserting Washington seeks neither to secure a ceasefire nor to establish dialogue. The parliament speaker said no choice need be made between war and negotiation, and that fighting and negotiating will proceed at appropriate times. He noted that without field successes and diplomatic progress, Iran would have limited options in supporting Lebanon and confronting the blockade.