Pejman: We Must Manage Our Relationship and Engagement with the U.S. Ourselves

Masoud Pejman, a week after Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. elections, stated that the Islamic Republic must manage its engagement and relationship with the United States by itself. The President of Iran said on Tuesday, November 13, at a meeting with former foreign ministers: "Regarding the U.S., whether we want it or not, we will eventually face this country in the regional and international arena, and it is better that we manage this arena ourselves." He also added that the government ultimately conducts foreign policy "within the framework of the strategies and major approaches of the system," which may refer to the policies intended by Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic. Mr. Pejman also emphasized the need to adhere to the policy of "kindness with friends and tolerance with enemies," stating that to address internal problems and develop the country, "international relations" must be organized, and tensions must be alleviated. While there has been no report on the plans and intentions of the incoming U.S. government to negotiate with Iran, Donald Trump announced in the final hours of his election campaign that he does not intend to "harm" Iran, adding: "But they cannot have nuclear weapons." Reports about the potential appointment of Marco Rubio as Secretary of State in the new Trump administration have also emerged. On the other hand, on Tuesday, reports were published that Mr. Trump intends to introduce Marco Rubio as Secretary of State in his new government. Marco Rubio has been a member of the U.S. Senate since 2010 and has hardline positions regarding Iran and China. The elected President of the United States has also considered Elise Stefanik for the post of ambassador to the United Nations, who is a staunch supporter of Israel and stated during a trip to Jerusalem this spring that as a "true friend of the Jewish people" and to fulfill her moral duty, she stands by Israel, which is facing an onslaught from Iranian proxy groups. On November 9, Politico reported, citing four officials from Donald Trump's previous administration and individuals close to him in his election campaign, that the policies of the future President of the United States will revive "maximum pressure" on Iran. These individuals also stated that the transition team to the new government is simultaneously strengthening support for Israel while considering plans to impose a new wave of severe economic sanctions against Iran and efforts to cut the country's oil exports. Masoud Pejman spoke about managing the relationship with the U.S. by Iran itself, while after the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA during Donald Trump's first term and the assassination of Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad, no direct negotiations have taken place between the two countries. Even with the change of the U.S. government and the coming to power of Joe Biden, who had a softer approach to Iran and aimed to revive the JCPOA, this obstacle was not removed. In all negotiations for reviving the JCPOA during Mr. Biden's administration, Iran and the U.S. negotiated indirectly through other parties present in the JCPOA. These negotiations between the current U.S. government and Ibrahim Raisi's administration ultimately failed. Iran remains officially part of the JCPOA, but it has gradually reduced its commitments under the pretext of the U.S. withdrawal and the imposition of new sanctions against Iran. Is Iran Sending "Signals" to Trump? On Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Iranian government, in response to a question about Donald Trump's positions regarding Iran, stated that the Islamic Republic suggests that the incoming Trump administration "avoid any path that disregards Iran's interests." Fatemeh Mohajerani also indirectly referred to the issue of negotiations with the U.S., stating that the government will act based on national interests and the "leadership" of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and the "decisions of the Supreme National Security Council."