Iran’s Leaders Debate War, Peace After Trump Ceasefire Extension

State media and Iran’s military and security leadership said they are prepared for resumption in the war with the United States and Israel as they continue to signal opposition to any major concessions during negotiations.

Authorities in Iran organised more displays of defiance on Tuesday night and into Wednesday with military parades on Tehran’s streets, timed to coincide with the slated end of a two-week ceasefire, which US President Donald Trump has now extended for an unspecified period of time after negotiators failed to arrive in Pakistan for talks.

In downtown Tehran’s Enghelab (Revolution) Square, a Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missile, one of Iran’s longest-range projectiles, was moved through cheering crowds who had gathered to support Iran’s establishment.

A few kilometres to the north in Vanak Square, masked men holding assault rifles stood atop a truck-mounted launcher for a Ghadr ballistic missile as loudspeakers blasted, “Death to America”.

“Seyyed Majid, the precision striker, plough Tel Aviv” was chanted by some as they addressed Majid Mousavi, the aerospace chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and called on him to order more missile strikes against Israel.

Motorcades led by pick-up trucks broadcasting religious songs also moved through neighbourhoods at night with participants waving flags of armed groups in other countries that are in Iran’s “axis of resistance”, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

A clip shared by state media from the gathering in Enghelab Square showed Hossein Taheri, a religious singer, speaking to crowds of supporters while standing next to a wheelchair-bound soldier who had his legs and arms amputated after being hit by bombs while operating a missile launcher.

“What else must [the] US do for it to be considered a ceasefire violation?” Taheri asked angrily, adding that supporters of the state would continue to remain in the streets until they can “exact our revenge” for the wounded soldier and others like him.

State-linked media outlets also released more footage and interviews with armed people, including women, who said they were ready to fight on the streets.

Authorities have circulated images of pink missiles, drones and assault rifles to emphasise that women support the cause of conflict by the state. And in an apparent effort to project unity and diversity among its supporters, many of the women featured in state messaging do not conform to the strict Islamic hijab standards enforced by the establishment.

State television has adopted a hardline approach towards negotiations with the US. Presenters and analysts have advocated for military strength in the face of threats and ultimatums from Trump.

A state television host claimed this week, without offering a source for his claim, that 87 percent of Iranians would rather go back to war than offer any major concessions in talks. This comes after state media repeatedly blamed antiestablishment Iranians inside and outside the country of being “warmongers” after some expressed support for military action against Iran in the hope that it would help overthrow the government.

Another host said Washington needs the war to end but has currently chosen to drag out the negotiations to pressure Iran through its naval blockade of the country’s ports.

The IRGC-affiliated Fars news agency on Wednesday released a video made with artificial intelligence that showed an angry Trump and his team waiting for Iranian negotiators before showing humiliation when the president extended the ceasefire on his own.

Iran’s military authorities who are running the war continue to broadcast messages of resilience.

The military’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the armed forces have their “fingers on the trigger” to respond to any aggression by launching attacks stronger than before while the IRGC said two vessels trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz were seized after they failed to obtain necessary permits.

The IRGC’s Mousavi also warned Iran’s neighbours that if their territories and facilities are used for more attacks against Iran, “they must say goodbye to oil production in the Middle East region”.

As Iran’s state-imposed, near-total internet shutdown entered its 54th day on Wednesday, the IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency suggested that seabed high-speed internet cables could be targeted next, which would create a “digital catastrophe” for Iran’s Arab neighbours, who heavily rely on such underwater infrastructure.

In New York, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Saeed Iravani, told reporters that another round of negotiations can take place in Islamabad only if Washington lifts the blockade it has imposed on Iran.

Hardline judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei said on Wednesday, in reaction to the extension of the ceasefire by Trump, that the “enemy is not in a position to set a time for us”.

Trump said his decision to extend the ceasefire was “based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured” and could not come up with a unified proposal. He also said “Iran is collapsing financially” and its authorities are unable to pay military and police personnel.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker and head of its delegation to the first round of talks with the US in Pakistan, has echoed the message that the establishment will not “surrender” to Trump. But in a video message addressed to the Iranian people earlier this week, the former IRGC commander turned police chief and Tehran mayor, offered a slightly different tone to the more bombastic messaging from other officials.

“We are not stronger than the US in military power. It is obvious that they have more money, equipment and facilities,” he said while also pointing out Israel’s military capabilities. “No, we did not destroy them, but we are victors in the field in this war.”

Ghalibaf also stressed that Tehran’s main goal must be to “pursue and solidify the rights of the people” rather than chasing absolute victory and framed negotiations as a “method of fighting”.