Representative of the Supreme Leader in the IRGC: America Seeks to Overthrow the Regime Through Engagement

Ali Saeedi, the representative of the Supreme Leader in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), criticized those who advocate for 'coming to terms' with the United States, stating that America aims to overthrow the Islamic Republic through 'engagement.' According to Tasnim News Agency, Saeedi, speaking at the sixth conference of the Basij professors and elites of the seminaries of Qom and Khorasan in Mashhad, said: 'Currently, some say, 'We must come to terms with America.' This thought stems from a secular ideology and denies independence, which is one of the principles of these individuals.' He emphasized that 'a correct understanding of the enemy is another criterion of revolutionary spirit,' asserting that 'America has been attempting to overthrow the Islamic regime of Iran through various means such as hard and soft warfare, and today through establishing engagement.' While the representative of the Supreme Leader in the IRGC reported on America's efforts to overthrow the regime through negotiations, several principlist figures have criticized negotiations with the U.S. in recent weeks, accusing Hassan Rouhani of forcing the Supreme Leader to accept negotiations during the nuclear talks. Last week, Hamid Rouhani, a principlist cleric and head of the Institute for Historical Research and Encyclopedia of the Islamic Revolution, called for Hassan Rouhani to be tried for treason against the country due to his actions in the Vienna nuclear agreement. He stated: 'On the day the Leader said he found negotiations futile, the modern-day Amr ibn al-As forced the Leader to negotiate. The clergy and Friday prayer leaders should have initiated a movement against negotiations with the devil but failed to do so. We have now witnessed the disgrace of negotiations and the JCPOA, and the good is in what has occurred.' Hamid Rouhani added: 'If a flood of letters from the Basij and clergy had been sent to the presidency, Mr. Rouhani would not have dared to negotiate with America. They should not have sat back and watched.' He also stated: 'The great danger for Iran is not America or Israel, but Mr. Dr. Rouhani and such thoughts. Mr. Rouhani has consciously come to the scene to undermine Islamic authenticity. These gentlemen seek to return our country to the era of the Shah's oppression.' Ahmad Alamolhoda, the Friday prayer leader of Mashhad, also described Hassan Rouhani as a 'naive person' who believes that Iran has gained dignity through the nuclear agreement. In recent months, attacks from individuals close to the Supreme Leader against Hassan Rouhani's government and him personally have increased, and some principlist media have spoken of Rouhani's presidency being a temporary phase.