Iran FM Baghaei: 'We will not tolerate this vicious cycle of war, negotiations, ceasefire'

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei issued a statement on Iran's state news broadcaster on April 2 (D34), in response to Trump's Wednesday night address: Exact statement: 'We will not tolerate this vicious cycle of war, negotiations, cease-fire and then repeating the same pattern.' Diplomatic significance: This is the Foreign Ministry's response to Trump's speech — distinct from the military IRGC counter-narrative. Baghaei's statement addresses the diplomatic track: - 'Vicious cycle' language refers to Iran-Israel-US cycles in Lebanon (2006), Gaza (multiple rounds) and Iran nuclear diplomacy - 'Negotiations, cease-fire, same pattern' suggests Iran sees Trump's 2-3 week timeline as setting up for a tactical pause followed by a return to pressure - Iran is demanding structural change, not just a ceasefire This aligns with Trump's own framing ('not a ceasefire until Hormuz opens') but from the Iranian side: Tehran is rejecting any outcome that doesn't change the fundamental security situation Iran faces from the US-Israeli alliance. Context: Pezeshkian previously told the EU that Iran has 'necessary will to end this conflict, provided essential conditions are met — especially guarantees to prevent repetition.' Baghaei's statement defines what 'repetition' means: a cycle of war-talks-ceasefire-resumption that doesn't fundamentally alter Iran's security calculus. Source: NYT April 2 live blog (Baghaei statement on state TV, April 2, 2026).