Khamenei on Nuclear Negotiations: We Accept Fair and Rational Agreements

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, on Thursday, December 6, announced his lack of opposition to the extension of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the 1+5 countries, emphasizing Iran's readiness to accept "fair and rational agreements." He stated that if these negotiations do not yield results, "the one who suffers the most will be the United States, not Iran." He also remarked that "whether a nuclear agreement is reached or not, Israel will become increasingly insecure day by day." According to the website of the Supreme Leader, Khamenei addressed a group of Basij members, saying, "For the same reason we did not oppose the principle of negotiation, we do not oppose the extension, but several points must be considered." He described Iran's negotiating team as "hardworking, serious, compassionate, steadfast, and logical," asserting that this team "truly and fairly" stands against what he called "bullying" and does not change its position daily like the opposing side. Khamenei accused U.S. officials of speaking differently in private meetings and "in letter exchanges" than they do in public speeches. His reference to "letter exchanges" can be seen as his first direct mention of letters he has received from the U.S. President. The American newspaper "The Wall Street Journal" reported on Thursday, November 15, that Barack Obama, the U.S. President, in a letter to Ayatollah Khamenei, referred to "common interests" between Iran and the U.S. and raised issues regarding U.S. airstrikes against the Islamic State (formerly ISIS). In this context, Ahmad Jannati, the Secretary of the Guardian Council, also mentioned on Sunday, November 25, that Obama expressed "happiness" about the health of the Supreme Leader following prostate surgery in September. Obama himself stated in an interview with CBS on November 18 that he prefers not to discuss his communications with leaders of various countries. In his remarks, the Supreme Leader referred to what he called "various diplomatic, political, and media backers of the opposing sides of Iran," adding: "Behind each of the negotiators with us is an army, and among them, the U.S. is the most unethical and the British are the most cunning." He added: "Both the Iranian nation and the negotiating parties should know that if the negotiations do not yield results, the ones who will suffer the most will be the Americans, not us." Khamenei identified the "real goal" of Western sanctions as "stopping Iran's progress" and emphasized: "However, unlike the U.S., if negotiations do not reach an agreement, the sky will not fall for us because we have a solution called resilient economy." This statement comes as Islamic Republic officials have repeatedly mentioned the lifting of all Western sanctions as one of Iran's conditions in nuclear negotiations. Over the past year, officials in Hassan Rouhani's government have frequently spoken about the impact of Western sanctions on Iran's economy and industry, including Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, the Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade, who stated in mid-summer: "It became clear that the pieces of paper had an impact." The Supreme Leader also criticized statements from some U.S. officials regarding the necessity for Iran to gain the trust of the global community, stating: "We do not need to trust the U.S. at all and do not want to gain their trust, as it does not matter to us." Khamenei added: "If logical words are spoken in negotiations, and fair and rational agreements are made, we will accept, but Iran, from top to bottom, from its people to all its officials, stands against excessive demands." John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated on Tuesday, December 3, that Congress should give the government the opportunity to conclude negotiations for a nuclear agreement with Iran and should not provoke Tehran with new sanctions. The Supreme Leader also addressed U.S. officials, saying: "Know this, whether a nuclear agreement is reached or not, Israel will become increasingly insecure day by day." Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, welcomed reports regarding the lack of an agreement in the nuclear case between Iran and the so-called 1+5 countries on December 3. In this context, two Republican senators called Obama's letter to Khamenei "shameful," criticizing the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee for Obama's letter. Obama stated that there remains a significant gap between U.S. and Iranian positions. Ali Shamkhani noted that Iran has responded to some of Obama's letters.