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Kayhan: Hashemi Rafsanjani Has No Opposition to Dialogue with America

Feb 8, 2026 February 8, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Former Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani expressed his openness to dialogue with the U.S., contrasting with the views of Iran's Supreme Leader. This statement highlights ongoing tensions within Iran's political hierarchy regarding foreign relations, particularly with the U.S.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: Rafsanjani's openness to dialogue with the U.S. underscores a significant divide in Iranian politics, with implications for both domestic and foreign relations.

👥 Key Players

Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani MENTIONED
Former President of Iran
"A significant figure in Iranian politics known for his moderate views and influence in shaping Iran's foreign policy."
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei MENTIONED
Supreme Leader of Iran
"The highest authority in Iran, whose views largely shape the country's policies, including its stance towards the U.S."
Kayhan Newspaper MENTIONED
Conservative Iranian newspaper
"Represents hardline perspectives in Iran and influences public opinion on foreign policy."

📰 What Happened

Rafsanjani expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with the U.S., contrasting with the Supreme Leader's opposition. He acknowledged existing communications between Tehran and Washington regarding regional issues but noted no progress towards formal political relations.

  • Rafsanjani's remarks highlight a division within Iran's political elite regarding relations with the U.S.
  • Despite Rafsanjani's openness, the Supreme Leader maintains a hardline stance against direct dialogue.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This internal disagreement reflects broader tensions within Iran's political landscape, impacting future foreign policy decisions.
🌍 Regional: The potential for dialogue could influence regional stability, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan where both nations have vested interests.
🌐 International: Western nations, particularly the U.S., may view Rafsanjani's comments as a sign of possible shifts in Iran's approach, affecting diplomatic strategies.

📚 Background

Iran has a complex political structure where the Supreme Leader holds ultimate authority, often leading to tensions between reformist and conservative factions regarding foreign policy.

Iran-U.S. relations Iran's political factions
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
Kayhan is known for its conservative stance and may reflect the views of hardliners in Iran, so its reporting should be interpreted with caution regarding broader political narratives.

Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the former President of Iran, has stated in an interview with a Tehran-based newspaper that he does not oppose dialogue with the United States, but the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic is against it. The conservative newspaper Kayhan reported on Wednesday that for Rafsanjani, discussions with the U.S. are not an issue, but Ayatollah Khomeini, the leader of the Islamic Revolution, was opposed to it, and Ayatollah Khamenei shares this view. Rafsanjani then remarked, 'I also obey and do not speak out.' He mentioned that Tehran and Washington are in contact regarding Iraq and Afghanistan, but there has been no change in establishing direct political relations between the two sides.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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