IRGC Commander Appreciates the 'Sincere Efforts' of the Nuclear Negotiation Team

Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), expressed gratitude on Tuesday, April 18, for the performance of the nuclear negotiation team, stating that they have defended the rights of the nation in the diplomatic battle and stood firm on red lines. According to Fars News Agency, Jafari said at a conference for IRGC commanders: 'The revolutionary children of Islamic Iran have been able to defend the rights of the Iranian people commendably in their diplomatic battle so far, and the Iranian people and the IRGC appreciate the sincere efforts and political struggles of these individuals and their steadfastness on the established red lines.' Iran and the 1+5 countries announced on Friday, April 2 (13 Farvardin) in Lausanne, Switzerland that they had defined the 'frameworks' for a final agreement. According to the Lausanne agreement, Iran's nuclear program will be limited in exchange for the lifting of all sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States, as well as UN Security Council resolutions against the Islamic Republic. Regarding the continuation of nuclear negotiations, Jafari stated: 'Although the dishonesty and non-compliance of the Americans with their commitments and the lack of trust in them create a difficult path for the future of this diplomatic jihad, we are confident that, as the respected President and the esteemed Foreign Minister and prominent members of this team have clearly stated, our red line, in addition to accepting the right to a nuclear enrichment cycle and research and development in this area, is the 'lifting of all related sanctions' as the central point of the Iranian people's demands.' The IRGC commander also stated: 'We expect the intelligent and courageous diplomatic apparatus of the country to utilize all its powerful capacities and the entire system for the dignity of the Islamic Revolution and the country, as well as for the simultaneous lifting of sanctions in the decisive opportunity ahead.' He added: 'The great nation of Iran, based on the luminous slogan 'Government and Nation, Unity and Accord,' will stand united in support of its nuclear diplomatic front and will not allow the misleading insinuations of the enemy, especially the United States, regarding the recent negotiations to undermine the trust between the government and the nation through an unrealistic translation of the joint statement.' While the IRGC commander has defended the Iranian nuclear negotiation team, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not yet commented on this matter. The IRGC commander's support for Mohammad Javad Zarif and the nuclear negotiation team comes at a time when some members of the parliament affiliated with the Steadfast Front and also hardline conservative figures have criticized the Lausanne statement. Hossein Shariatmadari, the representative of the leader at Kayhan Institute, previously stated, 'We have given a saddled horse and received a torn reins in return.' Meanwhile, on Tuesday, a group called 'Students and Clerics' gathered in front of the Islamic Consultative Assembly to protest the Lausanne agreement. Despite the criticism from some members of the Steadfast Front and certain hardline conservatives, a significant number of parliament representatives and Friday prayer leaders have supported the Lausanne agreement.