IRGC Warns of Domestic 'Preparation' for Nuclear Retreat

"Sobhe Sadegh," the official organ of the IRGC's political office, has issued a warning regarding what it calls a 'psychological operation' aimed at transforming the issue of 'retreating from nuclear red lines' into a 'public demand' in Iran. Yadollah Javani, advisor to the Supreme Leader's representative in the IRGC, wrote in the latest issue of the weekly 'Sobhe Sadegh' that the main 'conspiracy' of the West, particularly the United States, during the extension of negotiations is to downplay the 'benefits of resistance' of the Islamic Republic. He stated that if the enemy can turn such an issue into a 'belief' among the people, flexibility and retreat from the nuclear red lines defined by the regime will become a public demand, forcing high-ranking officials to comply with Western demands to alleviate pressures. The IRGC's political office also pointed to the 'excessive demands' of the West in negotiations and the 'collusion' of Saudi Arabia and the U.S. in lowering oil prices to intensify economic pressures on the Islamic Republic, specifically emphasizing 'a series of internal movements to prepare the ground for the enemy's successes.' Javani assessed the 'About an Agreement' meeting at Tehran University, attended by Sadegh Zibakalam, Ahmad Shirzad, and Davood Hermidas Bavand, which criticized the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, as 'suspicious.' In this meeting, these three were introduced as 'defense attorneys' for the West in Iran, attempting to describe the achievements of the Islamic Republic's nuclear program as 'very insignificant' and its costs to the country as 'very heavy.' Javani evaluated the explicit criticisms of Zibakalam, Bavand, and Shirzad regarding Iran's nuclear activities as part of a 'psychological operation' aimed at nuclear retreat, which could be a precursor to further retreats. Zibakalam stated in this unprecedented meeting that the 'nuclear issue' has harmed the country more than the eight-year war with Iraq, while Shirzad remarked that 'no water comes from the nuclear well.' The IRGC's political office's reaction to this meeting is significant as Hassan Rouhani had previously criticized university professors for not speaking publicly about the negotiations and nuclear activities of the Islamic Republic, unlike 'a few illiterate people' who write to him privately on the subject. In fact, it was Rouhani who invited university professors to speak 'Socratic-style' about the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the West, and the IRGC's political office's assessment of the academics' statements as a 'psychological operation' preparing the ground for retreat can be seen as an indirect criticism of Rouhani. Although military commanders in Iran have repeatedly warned against any retreat from nuclear positions over the past year and implicitly criticized the foreign policy of the eleventh government, Javani's note represents one of the clearest criticisms of the government, accusing it of preparing the ground for nuclear retreat. This note was published one day after the President's statements regarding the proposal for a referendum. Hassan Rouhani stated at the first Iranian economic conference that 'for once, regarding a very important issue that may also be controversial... [an issue that] is important for everyone and affects everyone's life, the direct opinion of the people should be sought.' Some political analysts predicted that Rouhani's remarks referred to a public vote on the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities. Regardless of the feasibility of holding such a referendum in Iran and considering the obstacles to it, which Rouhani is well aware of due to his political-security background, the essence of his remarks has also prompted other reactions from conservatives. Mohammad Reza Naqdi, head of the Basij Organization, without naming Rouhani, labeled individuals who, under the guise of 'rationality,' have abandoned 'ideals' and speak of halting 'struggle' as 'unrevolutionary.' He stated, 'Our ideal is not centrifuges, but the destruction of the White House and the annihilation of Zionism.' Hossein Shariatmadari, the editor-in-chief of the 'Kayhan' newspaper, also stated that a two-thirds majority of the parliament is needed to hold a referendum, and the parliament cannot be bypassed in this regard. Although it is likely that military and conservative figures will respond further to Rouhani's remarks in the coming days, it seems that the comments of Amir Mohibian, a conservative political analyst regarding the current state of Rouhani's government, are not far from reality. He stated that Rouhani began his work by 'gambling' on the nuclear file, but after realizing that the issue of the agreement was not as simple as he thought, he is currently 'managing expectations and intends to change the game.'