Ghalibaf’s ‘Empty Seats’ Message to US Before Crucial Islamabad Talks

Islamabad: Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf delivered a pointed message to the United States ahead of crucial talks in Pakistan, using a symbolic gesture linked to a deadly strike in Minab.

As he travelled to Islamabad alongside Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Ghalibaf shared an image from inside the aircraft that quickly drew attention. The photograph showed him standing in an aisle lined with vacant seats, each displaying pictures of schoolchildren who lost their lives in a missile attack on a school in Minab earlier in the conflict.

The visual, accompanied by school bags and flowers placed on the seats, appeared intended to highlight the human cost of the war. Iranian authorities have blamed the United States for the strike, which reportedly resulted in 165 deaths, though Washington has denied involvement.

Referring to the victims as his “companions,” Ghalibaf suggested that the incident remains central to Iran’s narrative as it heads into negotiations. The Minab strike is expected to feature prominently in discussions scheduled in Islamabad.

Despite the conflict being marked by advanced military technology such as drones and missile systems, both sides have also engaged in a parallel battle to shape global perception. Tehran has consistently maintained that it entered the conflict in self-defence and has accused the US of spreading misleading narratives.

Upon arrival in Islamabad, Ghalibaf reiterated Iran’s scepticism toward Washington, citing past negotiations that, according to him, failed to yield results.

He stated that previous engagements were marred by unfulfilled commitments and even military actions during dialogue phases. While expressing willingness to engage, he made it clear that trust remains a major hurdle.

The Iranian delegation includes senior officials such as Defence Council Secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, along with members of parliament.

Ghalibaf also outlined key conditions for progress in talks, including a ceasefire in Lebanon and the unfreezing of Iranian financial assets held abroad.