WANA (Apr 14) – In an interview on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Esmaeil Kousari, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament, detailed the reasons behind the friction in the Islamabad negotiations and blasted the “arrogant” behavior of the United States.

 

The Failure of the 15-Point Resolution

Regarding the Islamabad talks, Kousari revealed that while the U.S. had used intermediaries to learn of Iran’s conditions, they responded with bad faith.

 

“Both our dear people and our officials anticipated this,” Kousari stated. “They sent a 15-point resolution that we ignored entirely, as we knew accepting even a single clause was impossible for us.” He added that even a proposal for a two-week ceasefire was floated to reach a result, but the U.S. failed to show genuine commitment.

 

The “Humiliating” Defeat in Isfahan

Kousari highlighted a significant military-intelligence setback for the U.S. in central Iran.

 

“The Americans imagined they could seize control of the field and impose their thinking on the world. However, they suffered a humiliating defeat regarding southern Isfahan and the 400-plus kilograms of uranium they imagined were there. This ‘victory’ they envisioned turned into an ignominious defeat.”

 

Operational and Parliamentary Superiority

Kousari emphasized that the Iranian negotiating team, led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, maintained a position of strength.

 

“Mr. Ghalibaf raised two key issues: Hezbollah and the release of Iran’s frozen assets. The Americans held three sessions in a single day, each lasting one to two hours.

 

Eventually, they attempted to bring up the closure and control of the Strait of Hormuz, but they had no authority in that matter.”

 

He asserted that Iran held the “upper hand” in both the operational field and the parliamentary/negotiation spheres, leading the U.S. to currently pursue a second stage of negotiations since they could not force Iran to submit.

 

A Call for UN Accountability and Double Standards

The lawmaker demanded that the United Nations take a firm stand against U.S. aggression, comparing the current situation to the 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

 

“History shows that when the UN acts firmly, it can hold powers accountable. When Saddam attacked Kuwait, the UN declared it an error and formed a coalition. Why does a double standard exist today? Why is the law not equal for everyone, and why is the U.S. exempt?”

 

He directed harsh criticism toward the U.S. President: “By what right do you attack? Weren’t you in the middle of negotiations? These actions stem from the unjust demands of an ignorant individual [the U.S. President]. I feel sorry for the American people for electing someone whose decisions pressure not only our region but their own people.”

 

The “Satanic” Spirit and the Strait of Hormuz

Kousari noted that while Iran does not reject negotiations—as a means to tell the truth to the world—there is little hope for a lasting agreement due to the “arrogant, selfish, and satanic spirit” of the U.S. leadership.

 

“The Strait of Hormuz was open. Its closure and the subsequent rise in oil prices are direct results of their own actions. Why is no one holding them accountable for this?”

 

The “Swamp” of War

According to Kousari, the current U.S. strategy is an attempt to exit a losing battle with some semblance of dignity.

 

“Trump and his associates have a few goals:

1. To create an opportunity to reappear in the field and claim victory.

 

2. To reduce costs for the U.S., Europe, and the world while pretending they are taking steps toward peace.

 

3. To find a way to exit this scene ‘honorably.'”

 

Kousari concluded by warning that these attempts would fail. “With the high vigilance of the Leadership, the people, and the Armed Forces, we are ready to defeat any plan they design for their own interests. They should know they are sinking further into a swamp.”