Jakarta, ThedailyID — Iran has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of practicing “theater diplomacy” after he repeatedly threatened military action before shifting back to calls for negotiations.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator, made the remarks in a social media post on August 6, 2026.
Ghalibaf said Washington’s pattern of alternating between military threats and diplomatic offers had failed to pressure Tehran.
“‘A massive attack is coming… wait, never mind, they want to negotiate.’ That is theater diplomacy repeated over and over,” Ghalibaf said, mocking Trump’s approach.
“Using coercion, broken promises, and fake news as leverage is a failed strategy,” he added.
He urged the United States to recognize realities on the ground and honor its commitments.
His comments came days after Trump canceled plans for a large-scale military strike on Iran.
The U.S. president said he reversed the decision because diplomatic progress was within reach after Iran and other regional countries urged Washington to halt the attack.
Trump also claimed the breakthrough could lead to the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and remove what he described as Iran’s nuclear threat.
Iran has held separate talks with Oman over the strategic waterway and says the negotiations are close to producing an agreement on shipping routes.
The conflict has disrupted energy markets and pushed global oil prices higher amid fears of further escalation in the Gulf.
Trump said he expects the conflict to end soon and predicted gasoline prices would fall once tensions ease.
“I think this will end soon. I don’t think it will last much longer. I think we’re doing well,” Trump said.
