Shamkhani: US Support for Terrorism Supporters Prevented Negotiation Requests

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council states that the United States has repeatedly sought negotiations with Iran regarding regional developments, but US 'support' for 'governments and groups that strengthen terrorism' has hindered these discussions. According to the state news agency IRNA, Ali Shamkhani, in a speech on Friday, October 2, described the 'reason for the repeated requests' from the US for negotiations with Iran as their 'sense of danger regarding the failure of their plans and calculations.' He added that 'the issue that has prevented dialogue with the US is their overt and covert support for governments and groups that directly strengthen terrorism.' Shamkhani also referred to what he called the 'repeated betrayals, dual approaches, and conflicting interests' of the US with the Islamic Revolution as reasons for the 'distrust' of Islamic Republic officials towards the country. In his remarks, Shamkhani did not name the governments and groups that he claims 'strengthen terrorism' and are supported by the US. He further described the 'overt and covert relationships' of some regional countries with Israel as 'betrayal of the Palestinian cause.' Shamkhani's remarks may refer to Saudi Arabia, which has recently seen reports of meetings between some of its officials and Israeli officials. In this context, the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement on Sunday, July 25, that Dori Gold, the director-general of its Foreign Ministry, had met with Saudi General Anwar Ashki in Jerusalem and also with Israeli General Yoav Mordechai, who is responsible for military affairs concerning Israel regarding the West Bank. The reasons presented by Shamkhani for Iran's refusal to negotiate with the US on regional issues come at a time when the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and his close associates have previously provided other reasons for the failure of these negotiations. For instance, Ali Saeedi, the representative of the Supreme Leader in the Revolutionary Guards, emphasized on Friday, referring to the Supreme Leader's statements, that negotiations with the US should not extend beyond the nuclear issue and that 'this is one of the red lines we have no right to cross.' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also repeatedly described negotiations with the US as 'a ground for overt and covert infiltration' and has stated that he rejected requests from US officials for cooperation on regional issues. Nevertheless, following the Vienna nuclear agreement, Iran was invited for the first time to participate in a meeting to resolve the Syrian crisis. Meanwhile, the Fars news agency reported on Thursday, September 25, that 'recently, the Omani government delivered a note to the Islamic Republic's embassy in Muscat conveying a secret message from the US requesting negotiations with Iran over Yemen.' However, Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, denied this report on Saturday, September 27. Shamkhani also reacted to statements made by the Israeli Prime Minister, stating that Iran will not accept any limitations other than the fatwa of the Supreme Leader after the expiration of the 10-year limitations of the Vienna nuclear agreement. According to the Vienna nuclear agreement, restrictions on Iran's nuclear program will gradually decrease after 10 years. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, stated in his speech at the UN General Assembly that Israel will 'not allow Iran to produce nuclear weapons today, tomorrow, or at any time.' The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic has previously declared the production of nuclear weapons as 'haram.'