Taghi Rahmani: Mr. Khamenei Tried to Control Opponents of the Negotiations

Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, delivered a speech in Mashhad, as is customary for Nowruz each year, addressing the nuclear negotiations. Taghi Rahmani discusses the direction of these remarks and the position of the Supreme Leader regarding the negotiations, the opponents of the negotiations, known as the 'delvapasan', and the government: 'In general, considering the current situation of the government regarding the nuclear negotiations, this speech in Mashhad indicates that he supported the government, albeit with ambiguities regarding the conditions of the negotiations. The empathy between the government and the people has been a softer language compared to past rhetoric and naming conventions. Although Khamenei's naming conventions have sometimes backfired, we hope this time the extreme delvapasan do not create a rift between the people and the government. At the same time, he tried in this speech to convince the hardliners who usually support him that they can be concerned but should not insult or attack... These actions are generally in favor of Rouhani. Now we must see how practical and executable this is. Rahmani, if you agree, let’s listen to parts of Khamenei's speech and then I will ask my question: Ayatollah Khamenei: 'One of the things he said was that there are people in Iran who do not agree with a diplomatic resolution to the nuclear issue. He says there are people in Iran who do not want the nuclear issue to be resolved through diplomatic negotiations. This is a lie. There is no one in Iran who does not want the nuclear issue to be resolved through negotiations. What the Iranian people do not want is to accept the impositions and bullying of the United States. They do not want this.' Rahmani, do you believe this part of Khamenei's remarks will end the opposition of the delvapasan who have created troubles for the negotiating team over the past year? This cannot be said to be an ending. This is Khamenei's support. But it should be noted that even some have declared that reconciliation with the U.S. means the end of the rule of the jurist, and these are individuals who consider themselves the loyalists of the leader. This viewpoint exists, has power, and has sufficient wealth. They need a low-intensity conflict with the West. Moreover, they need this conflict with Iran in their work. The important point is that it seems some people do not want the thirty-four-year-long conflict that has overshadowed all relations in our country to return to normal. It is entirely correct that some in Iran need this tension and do not accept these negotiations. If Khamenei wants to silence that extremist faction with this issue, well, it is one method, but we must see how successful he will be. The reality is that both in the West and in Iran, some do not want these negotiations to succeed. Rahmani, let’s listen to another part of Ayatollah's remarks in Mashhad so I can ask my next question: Ayatollah Khamenei: 'The Americans repeatedly say that we will sign a contract with Iran and then we will see if they comply with the contract, we will lift the sanctions. This statement is wrong and unacceptable. We do not accept this. Lifting the sanctions is part of the negotiation topics, not the outcome of the negotiations.' Rahmani, in the coming days, nuclear negotiators will once again gather around the negotiation table. How much can this sentence and this part of Ayatollah Khamenei's remarks help in reaching an agreement or how much can it create problems for reaching a comprehensive and final agreement? These are diplomatic words. They say lifting sanctions, but the action and removal of sanctions is time-consuming. We must see if Iran will accept the time required for lifting the sanctions. Words in diplomatic discussions are very difficult and complex. I do not have much information on this. The reality is that when you say lifting the sanctions, now Rouhani sees stopping the sanctions and breaking the wall of sanctions as a victory. Khamenei places the demand a step further. But what is written in that article and how it is implemented is a big discussion. We see that all sanctions against Iraq were lifted ten years after Saddam Hussein. That is, international mechanisms also have their own rules that countries must adhere to if they want to resolve issues. This matter is somewhat complex, and we must see how it is stipulated in the agreement.