IRGC Quds Force Official: Iran's Regional Struggle Against the U.S. Causes 'Increased Pressure' on Nuclear Negotiation Team

Just one day after the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the 'power of the Islamic Revolution' in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Bahrain has strengthened Iran's negotiating team, the deputy commander of the Quds Force said that Iran's actions in these countries and its 'open struggle against the U.S.' in the region have resulted in 'increased pressures' on Iran's team in negotiations with the P5+1 group. According to the state news agency IRNA, Ismail Qaani, the deputy commander of the Quds Force, stated on Thursday, December 3, that Iran has been the 'main obstacle' to the U.S. achieving its goals in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Gaza, and Afghanistan. He added, 'All these issues and Iran's open struggle against the U.S. in the region have led to increased pressures on our negotiating team in the talks with the P5+1 group.' Furthermore, according to the Fars news agency, Mr. Qaani emphasized that the Islamic Republic will undoubtedly not compromise on its 'positions and red lines' during the negotiations. This statement from the IRGC commander comes as Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of the IRGC, on Wednesday, December 2, described the 'inspiration and power of the Islamic Revolution' in Syria, Iraq, Bahrain, and Yemen as factors contributing to the 'strength of the Islamic Republic,' claiming that this 'strength' has been transferred to Iran's diplomacy in nuclear negotiations. Mr. Jafari, referring to the regional implications of what he termed the 'resistance of the Islamic Revolution,' added, 'All these factors have caused the regime's strength to be transferred to the country's diplomatic scene, allowing our diplomatic apparatus to stand against the overreach of imperialist powers with the defensive and security capabilities of the Islamic Republic.' This statement from the IRGC commander was perceived as a reaction to the Iranian Foreign Minister's earlier comments that Iran has become a 'safer' country after negotiating with the P5+1 group. The deputy commander of the Quds Force also mentioned that many of the issues currently arising in the region are 'precursors to problems' for the Islamic Republic. He did not provide further details about these 'problems' faced by the Islamic Republic. However, in recent months, officials from the Islamic Republic have reported on attempts by transnational groups to carry out terrorist operations in Iran. For instance, Hossein Zolfaqari, the security and police deputy of the Iranian Minister of Interior, stated on Tuesday, October 20, that 'armed and guerrilla groups that are not in our region are carrying out scattered attacks.' He also reported that 24 groups intended to enter Iranian territory to 'carry out suicide operations,' but Iranian forces prevented their entry and destroyed two groups before they could enter the country.