Khamenei's Consistent Double Standards: Beware of 'Deals' with the Enemy

Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, on Tuesday, February 9, 1403, gathered government officials and, while alluding to a possible negotiation between Tehran and Washington, stated: 'We must be careful about who we are facing and with whom we are negotiating and talking.' He, who had previously opposed any direct dialogue between Tehran and Washington, 'especially with the Trump administration,' referred to the U.S. government as 'the head of imperialist and colonial powers' and added: 'We must know that behind diplomatic smiles lie hidden and malicious enmities and resentments; for this reason, we should not seek a secret friendship with America.' Reza Alijani, a journalist and political activist, in response to these remarks and Khamenei's policy of 'pushing back with one hand and pulling forward with the other,' told VOA: 'Khamenei's tone today was cunning, and while playing with words, he sought to defend his character and reputation domestically and also tried to show that the battered foreign policy and the chaotic internal situation are in order.' He added: 'Khamenei has opened a two-faced shop and is waiting to see what decision Trump makes regarding the Islamic Republic to adjust his subsequent behavior and actions accordingly.' Alireza Kangarlu, former executive director of the Phoenix Project of Iran, also commented on the Islamic Republic's willingness and efforts to negotiate with the Trump administration, stating: 'If Trump wants to sit at the negotiating table with Khamenei, he will not allow the Islamic Republic to limit negotiations solely to Iran's nuclear issue but will make the complete elimination of proxy forces and the destruction of the regime's missile and military capabilities a condition for negotiation and deal.' He also clarified that Donald Trump has delegated the issue of attacking the Islamic Republic's nuclear sites to Israel and will likely use the threat of Israel in negotiations with the Iranian regime. Khamenei's remarks about 'care and negotiation' come as some Iranian officials have called for direct dialogue and agreement with the United States following Trump's return to the White House and his administration's potential plan to revive the maximum pressure policy on the Islamic Republic. Mohammad Javad Zarif, the former foreign minister of the Islamic Republic, recently wrote in an article for Foreign Affairs, 'An agreement can be reached with the Trump administration.' Axios news outlet also reported last week, citing European diplomats, that the Islamic Republic has clearly expressed interest in starting negotiations aimed at achieving a new and different nuclear agreement from the JCPOA in its recent talks with them and has stated that it is waiting for a proposal and plan from the United States.