Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has mocked recent US media reports suggesting a potential interim agreement between Tehran and Washington, dismissing them as baseless and dubbing the alleged plan "Operation Fauxios."
Ghalibaf's Remarks
Speaking to lawmakers on Sunday, Ghalibaf said, "Operation Trust Me Bro failed, now it's Operation Fauxios," referring to earlier unsubstantiated reports about a possible arrangement. He accused US media of fabricating stories to pressure Iran into concessions.
The speaker emphasized that Iran would not negotiate under the shadow of sanctions and that any agreement must respect the Islamic Republic's red lines. He urged the US to abandon its "maximum pressure" policy and return to the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Background
Recent reports in US outlets suggested that Washington and Tehran were close to an interim deal to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. However, both Iranian and US officials have denied such claims.
- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani dismissed the reports as "speculative and baseless."
- The White House also denied any imminent agreement, stating that negotiations remain stalled.
Ghalibaf's mocking tone reflects Tehran's skepticism toward US media narratives, which it views as part of a psychological warfare campaign. The speaker's comments come amid heightened tensions between the two countries over Iran's advancing nuclear program and its support for regional proxies.
Reactions
Political analysts in Iran have echoed Ghalibaf's sentiments, with many arguing that the US leaks are designed to create a false sense of progress while maintaining sanctions pressure. Some have pointed out that similar scenarios played out in the past, leading to no tangible outcome.
Meanwhile, conservative media in Iran have amplified the speaker's remarks, using the term "Operation Fauxios" to criticize US diplomacy. The phrase has gone viral on social media platforms, with Iranians using it to express distrust toward American intentions.
As diplomatic efforts remain deadlocked, Ghalibaf's statement underscores the deep mistrust between the two nations. Iran continues to insist on verifiable sanctions removal as a prerequisite for any return to compliance with the JCPOA.
