As the high-stakes peace talks between Washington and Tehran prepare to kick off in Islamabad, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has set a defiant and emotional tone. In a striking piece of political theater, Ghalibaf shared a photograph from his flight to Pakistan that serves as a direct indictment of U.S. military actions.”My Companions”: The Minab School Strike
The photograph shared by Ghalibaf shows him standing in the cabin of the Iranian delegation’s plane. However, the seats behind him are not filled with officials, but with the images and belongings of children.
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The Tribute: Each empty seat displayed a photo of a schoolchild, their school bag, and a flower.
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The Context: These children were killed in a missile strike on a school in Minab at the onset of the war—an attack that claimed 165 lives.
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The Message: By calling these victims his “companions,” Ghalibaf is signaling that Iran views the upcoming negotiations through the lens of this tragedy. While the U.S. has denied responsibility, Tehran remains adamant that Washington is to blame.
“Goodwill, but No Trust”
Upon landing in Islamabad, Ghalibaf was quick to manage expectations, emphasizing that Iran’s presence at the table does not equate to faith in the American government.
“Our experience of negotiations with the Americans has always been marked by failure and broken promises… We have goodwill, but no trust.” — Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
He specifically noted that the U.S. has “attacked twice in the middle of negotiations” in the past, framing the current dialogue as a necessity born of conflict rather than a shift in diplomatic relations.
Iran’s Preconditions for Peace
The Iranian delegation, which includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the Governor of the Central Bank, and the Secretary of the Defense Council, has laid out clear red lines for the talks to proceed:
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Lebanon Ceasefire: Immediate cessation of military actions in Lebanon.
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Asset Release: The unblocking of Iranian financial assets currently held under U.S. sanctions.
