Ali Akbar Salehi Calls for Comprehensive Negotiations Between the Islamic Republic and the United States

Ali Akbar Salehi, former Iranian Foreign Minister and an influential figure in the Islamic Republic, called for negotiations between Tehran and the West, particularly the United States, in an interview with the Entekhab news agency published on Saturday, July 22. According to Salehi, negotiations between Iran and the U.S. have so far focused on specific issues such as Afghanistan, Iraq, the release of dual-national prisoners, and the JCPOA, but 'political' and 'comprehensive negotiations' could encompass all aspects including regional security and economic issues. The former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization analyzed contemporary Iran-U.S. relations and the August 19 coup, stating that if there had not been a threat from Truman, the then U.S. President, against the Soviet Union, 'perhaps today another part of our territory would have been separated.' Salehi criticized the U.S. embassy takeover in Tehran, stating that everyone has 'witnessed the unpleasant consequences' of such an act. He acknowledged 'inefficiencies' in management over the 44 years of the Islamic Republic's rule, saying: 'It is evident that the economic and overall living conditions of the people are not good.' Salehi added: 'Now, as a result of this difficult living situation that most of our compatriots are suffering from, our social conditions have become very hard. We are not in a favorable situation and we must get out of this situation.' In another part of the interview, the former foreign minister mentioned that the Chinese have a $80 billion trade relationship with Saudi Arabia and 'about $300 billion with the entire Gulf region, aiming to reach $500 billion,' but do not have such interactions with Iran. According to Salehi, 'the Chinese told us to adjust your relationship with the U.S. so that we can interact with you more easily.' He added that the Russians have made similar requests to the Islamic Republic. These statements from the veteran diplomat come at a time when the government of Ebrahim Raisi, under the 'Look to the East' policy of Ali Khamenei, the leader of Iran, has been trying to establish closer relations with Moscow and Beijing while intensifying ongoing crises with the international community, despite some controversial positions from Russia and China regarding Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf. Western governments have imposed several sanctions against individuals and entities accused of being involved in the expansion of military cooperation between Iran and Russia, particularly in the drone sector. The Chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom stated that the West should reconsider its policy towards Iran. The outcome of military cooperation with the Russians; Europe is determined to 'continue sanctions on ballistic missiles' of the Islamic Republic. Sullivan emphasized that there is no proximity to the JCPOA; Kan'ani stated that the negotiation path 'is still open.' A member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee stated that the Biden administration does not have a serious policy towards Iran. Exclusive; the White House: 'Indirect' negotiations with Iran for the release of American prisoners are ongoing.