Sadegh Larijani: They Want to Change the Nature of the Regime with JCPOA 2 and 3

Sadegh Larijani, the head of the judiciary, criticized the statements of the U.S. Secretary of State regarding Iran's missile tests, stating that the Americans cannot change the nature of the foreign policy and then the nature of the Islamic Republic of Iran with 'JCPOAs 2, 3, and 4.' According to ISNA news agency, Larijani said on Tuesday, April 23, 'If the Americans think they can change the nature of the foreign policy and then the nature of the Islamic Republic of Iran with JCPOAs 2, 3, and 4, they are greatly mistaken.' He added, 'The Supreme Leader has firmly rejected the discussions of JCPOAs 2 and 3 and demonstrated our country's independence.' Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, referred to the elections of Esfand 7 as the beginning of 'JCPOA 2' in his Nowruz message, stating that 'this JCPOA begins with ethics before the economy.' Hours after these remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, criticized the mention of 'JCPOAs 2 and 3' and those who, according to him, hope to negotiate with the U.S. to solve the country's problems. Following this, several close associates of the Supreme Leader, including Friday prayer leaders, criticized the mention of 'JCPOAs 2 and 3.' Meanwhile, Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, on Tuesday, April 17, described considering the Vienna nuclear agreement as a model for solving other problems as 'a sign of short-sightedness and a form of self-deprecation,' accusing the proponents of 'JCPOA series' of 'unintentionally following the anti-revolutionary path.' In contrast, Mostafa Tajzadeh, the political deputy of the Ministry of Interior during Mohammad Khatami's presidency, criticized Khamenei's approach and wrote in an open letter from prison that it is expected that the Supreme Leader 'takes the side of the majority of the people.' The head of the judiciary also expressed 'regret' over the U.S. Secretary of State's remarks and described the Iranian Foreign Minister's response as 'interrogation-like statements.' Larijani considered 'supporting the deprived and oppressed' as one of the 'fundamental priorities of the foreign policy' of the Islamic Republic and emphasized that 'the country's foreign policy cannot deviate from these principles.' He further stressed that U.S. officials 'do not hear the language of truth and must be spoken to in the language of power,' and negotiations with them should also 'be backed by strength and power.' John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, on Thursday, April 19, after meeting with the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, referred to the concerns of the Arab countries in the region and the U.S. regarding Iran's missile tests, stating that Washington and its allies are ready to cooperate with Tehran to peacefully resolve ongoing disputes, including this issue. These remarks provoked a strong reaction from Iranian officials, with Ali Akbar Velayati, the head of the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Council, calling Kerry 'a blabbermouth,' 'impudent,' 'shameless,' and 'deceitful.' Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, also urged the U.S. Secretary of State not to make 'baseless and clichéd' accusations against the Islamic Republic.