Commander of the IRGC: Negotiators' Clumsiness May Harm Our Dignity

Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran, stated on Tuesday, November 18, that during the ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and world powers, "perhaps due to the clumsiness of the negotiators at times, our dignity may be harmed." His remarks come as the second day of the final round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the 1+5 group began in Vienna, with only six days remaining until the deadline for reaching a final nuclear agreement. According to the state-run IRIB news network, Jafari, speaking in Qom, commented on these negotiations, saying, "Today, it may appear that due to the clumsiness of the negotiators at times, our dignity may be harmed, but let us know that it is our enemy, namely America, that is seeking a nuclear agreement with humiliation." The IRGC commander further stated that "the leadership of the Islamic Revolution will not allow America to achieve its goals" and added, "We will strive until our interests require it, meaning the lifting of economic sanctions, and if this issue is resolved, everyone will realize that the matter is only about nuclear issues, not ideals and values." Jafari's comments regarding the potential "clumsiness" of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team come despite Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, having previously emphasized his support and trust in President Hassan Rouhani's government and the Iranian nuclear negotiators. On July 7, Khamenei stated in a meeting with a group of Iranian officials, "We trust the negotiating team [on the nuclear issue] and are sure they will not allow encroachment on the rights of the nation... In the nuclear issue, the opposite side is trying to settle for a fever that leads to death... In negotiations, the future needs of the country must be considered." The Iranian nuclear dispute has approached the deadline for reaching a final agreement after 12 years, with the third of Azar (December 3) being the deadline. It is expected that the foreign ministers of the 1+5 countries will travel to Vienna later this week. According to AFP, however, the U.S. State Department has indicated that John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, who is in London, will not arrive in Vienna until after Thursday afternoon. Kerry, who is consulting with the U.S. negotiating team and some American officials in London, is scheduled to travel to Paris on Thursday for separate meetings with the French and Saudi foreign ministers. Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, has also stated that he will only come to Vienna when "sufficient progress" in the negotiations is observed. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday in Vienna regarding the continuation of negotiations, "If a solution is not reached due to the excessive demands of the opposite side, the world will realize that the Islamic Republic of Iran is seeking a solution, understanding, and constructive interaction, but will not give up its rights, dignity, and honor." Despite these remarks by Zarif, news emerged on Wednesday that a proposal is being formed in the Islamic Consultative Assembly to question Zarif regarding what has been termed the "excessive demands of the Americans and the performance of the negotiating team." According to ILNA news agency, Jawad Karimi Qodousi, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Assembly, said on Wednesday, "For this proposal, over 100 signatures have been collected so far, which have been consolidated into one question with the approval of the presiding board, focusing on the excessive demands of the Americans and the performance of our negotiating team." He added, "This question actually consists of six questions covering everything from the Geneva agreement to the sixth Vienna round and encompasses the overall content of the negotiations." Karimi Qodousi continued, "Since Mr. Zarif is traveling, this questioning proposal has been postponed for another week."