Iran has just given a clear signal: it does not intend to bend to Washington's demands. During today's spiritual ceremony in Tehran, Iran's highest leader, Ayatollah Ali Chamenei, harshly criticized the United States' expectations of his country, calling it a serious insult.
He declared that the Iranian people would “with all their might” argue the incorrect and arrogant requirements, as he put it. Chamenei's words fell at a critical minute of tense relations between Iran and the West, erstwhile Tehran agreed to resume atomic talks with European powers.
"They want Iran to obey America. The Iranian people will argue those who have specified incorrect expectations with all their strength," said Ayatollah Ali Chamenei
Iran's ultimate leader left no illusions about the regime's position. According to him, direct negotiations with America are impossible due to the fact that the another organization is striving not for compromise but for dominance. Chamenei besides referred to interior voices calling for softening rhetoric towards the US. He described their approach as superficial and shortsighted.
"Those who ask us to halt making slogans against the US... who want to negociate straight with America—are looking at appearances. This problem is insolent.” said the Iranian leader today.
These comments came only a fewer days after Iran and the 3 key European countries – France, Germany and the United Kingdom – agreed to resume talks on the future of the atomic programme. Europeans have made it clear that if Tehran does not return to the negotiating table, it will be possible to reconstruct the UN sanctions under the alleged Snapback mechanism. Western force is rising and talks are scheduled for the last week of August.
In the background of this political tension, the effects of the June war, which lasted 12 days and ended with the attack of the United States and Israel on Iran's atomic facilities, proceed to resound. It was a breakthrough — talks with Americans to proceed were abruptly suspended, and the negotiating climate cooled almost immediately. Chamenei then pointed out that "the enemy of Iran is not only rockets or sanctions, but besides their agents who are trying to sow divisions from within".
“The man who now rules the United States has revealed the actual essence of their hostility to Iran — they actually want the Iranian people and the muslim Republic to surrender.”
On the Iranian side, however, there are voices of opposition to the hard line. Reformist movements, which have gained fresh strength in the face of the worsening economical crisis (including power shortages, water deficits and riall weakness), call for pragmatism. More and more politicians and experts are calling for the suspension of uranium enrichment and for open cooperation with the global Atomic Energy Agency. In their eyes, it is the only way to avoid economical collapse and guarantee a minimum of interior stability.
But for Chamenei and his camp, specified suggestions sound like treason. According to the leader, any concession to the United States or Israel would be the beginning of the end of Iran's independence. For years it has promoted the doctrine of sovereignty and resistance, recognising all concession as a possible invitation to further pressure.
It is worth remembering that the current situation is simply a continuation of the long-term conflict. The 2015 atomic agreement, which envisaged limiting the atomic program in exchange for the abolition of sanctions, was unilaterally broken by president Donald Trump in 2018. The United States then imposed fresh sanctions, trying to force fresh concessions on Iran under the "maximum pressure" strategy. Israel, a close ally of the United States, besides opposed any agreement with Tehran from the beginning.
Despite constant accusations from the US and their partners to prosecute the construction of atomic weapons, Iran continues to claim that its atomic program is purely civilian. Chamenei, which is important, has for many years maintained that weapons of mass demolition – including atomic weapons – are contrary to muslim law. He issued a fatwa banning their production. However, critics stress that specified a declaration is not of a lasting nature and may change if the strategical situation so requires. Iran, facing the next circular of pressure, is strengthening relations with China and Russia, hoping to support these 2 powers as a counterweight to Western pressure. This is part of a broader strategy to build multipolarity in a global policy in which Tehran tries to last as an independent player against attempts at isolation.
However, the situation is increasingly tense. If talks with Europeans fail, Iran may face another wave of sanctions that will further choke its weakened economy. For the political elite of the regime, however, any sign of weakness could lead to erosion of power and an outbreak of social discontent. This is simply a delicate game where not only the future of the atomic program is at stake, but besides the endurance of the government and Iran's position in the region.
Chamenei knows he can't afford an open start with the full world, but he can't go back without losing his face. Therefore, his statements are increasingly militant and the rhetoric of national pride becomes a central component of interior mobilisation. In this context, calling for unity and opposition is intended not only to combat the West, but besides to stifle interior tensions and distract attention from the increasing problems of the everyday lives of the Iranians.
So Iran is at a crossroads today. On the 1 hand, it has the chance to have a partial reset of relations with Europe, which could open the way to reduced standardisation and alleviate the economical crisis. On the another hand, aversion to concessions against the United States and interior opposition to reforms can make the country even more isolated. Chamenei, as a spiritual and political leader, makes it clear which way he chooses. Disobedience to the U.S. becomes not only a substance of abroad policy, but an almost spiritual duty. And that means that the hardest decisions are only before Tehran and before the world.
