Summary of Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, head of the Iqbal Forum, in an interview with Asma Shirazi, host of the HUM TV News program in Pakistan:

Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, in response to the host’s questions about the situation in Tehran and Iran’s position on the war, referred to the 34th wave of ballistic missile strikes on Israel and U.S. interests in Arab countries, and stated that the death toll in Tehran is 480 and around 2,000 nationwide.

He then presented the following key points:

Rejection of Trump’s claims:
Baqeri called Donald Trump’s statements about the end of the war baseless and false.

Clear stance on ceasefire:
He emphasized that Iranian state institutions, the government, leadership, and people are not currently ready for a ceasefire. He said this is due to Iran’s perception of a “vicious cycle” (war, negotiation, ceasefire, and renewed war) created by Israel and the United States.

Strategic objective:
According to Baqeri, Iran’s strategy—especially under the new leadership of Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei—is to deliver a decisive response so that the enemy will not dare to repeat this cycle.

Difference between Iran and other countries:
He stated that U.S. officials must understand that Iran is not like Venezuela, Libya, Iraq, or Afghanistan, and that Iran’s destiny is determined by its dignified people.

Prediction of continued war:
He predicted that the war will be prolonged and that Iran will continue its attacks until the United States and Israel “learn a permanent lesson.”

Warning to regional countries:
He said that if regional countries do not allow their bases to be used against Iran, Iran will not attack them, but if those bases are used, Iran will retaliate.

Military endurance and missile cities:
Citing information from the IRGC spokesperson’s office, he said Iran possesses vast missile stockpiles in underground missile cities built over the past 20 years, which are invulnerable. He added that due to domestic weapons production, Iran can sustain a war for a year or more.

Nuclear deterrence issue:
He suggested that if Iran’s new leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, determines that nuclear weapons are necessary for deterrence and preventing regime change, Iran may pursue that path.

Final assessment:
Baqeri described the current situation as a “dangerous historical turning point” whose outcome, in his view, will ultimately be in favor of Iran and the region.