Iran denies FM discussed possible US talks during Qatar trip

In a Sunday editorial, Ham-Mihan, a newspaper aligned with Iran’s Reformist faction, argued that the Foreign Ministry’s performance over the past six months has led to a diminished and weakened position in at least three key areas.

The newspaper pointed to Iran’s handling of overtures for negotiations with the United States as a key concern.

Iran’s policy toward Washington has long been a sensitive and contentious issue, especially after the US withdrawal from the JCPOA nuclear deal in 2018 and the imposition of sanctions. With President Donald Trump’s return, many Iranian politicians and commentators are voicing concerns over the possibility of harsher sanctions as the country struggles with a deep economic crisis.

Ham-Mihan said that efforts at engagement—whether overt or behind closed doors—have consistently encountered resistance from hardliners in both Tehran and Washington.

Beyond internal challenges, Ham-Mihan warned that Trump’s different view of foreign policy makes Iran’s diplomatic messaging particularly sensitive.

“One of Trump’s main arguments for withdrawing from the JCPOA was the lack of economic benefits for American companies,” the paper added, suggesting that any new diplomatic overtures must be framed in a way that aligns with Trump’s priorities.

Araghchi, however, has been criticized for failing to take such dynamics into account. The newspaper pointed to his recent interview with Al Jazeera, in which he asked for the release of frozen Iranian assets as a confidence-building measure.

Ham-Mihan argued that this approach misjudged Trump’s negotiating style and contrasted it with other Iranian officials who have suggested offering American companies investment opportunities in Iran instead.

The newspaper also expressed alarm over the apparent disarray within Iran’s foreign policy structure. Unlike the administration of President Hassan Rouhani where the foreign ministry led negotiations, figures like former Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani and Strategic Council on Foreign Relations President Kamal Kharrazi now seem to be pursuing independent agendas, leading to confusion.

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Additionally, Ham-Mihan criticized some of Araghchi’s recent regional visits, suggesting they have become more about symbolic appearances than meaningful diplomatic efforts.

The paper particularly highlighted his trips to Beirut and Damascus right before Bashar al-Assad's fall, arguing that they failed to achieve meaningful results to bolster Iran's influence and instead reinforced the country's image as a passive observer rather than an influential actor.

The newspaper urged Araghchi to reassess his approach, warning that without a more unified and strategic direction, the Foreign Ministry risks becoming increasingly sidelined in shaping Iran’s diplomatic agenda.

In a recent address to a group of imams, Qara’ati, known for his accessible and often unconventional interpretations of religious texts, cited the verse "Al-Talaqu marratan" (Divorce is twice).

It refers to the Islamic practice of allowing two revocable divorce pronouncements before a final, irrevocable one, giving the couple a chance to reconcile. If the third declaration of divorce happens, it becomes irrevocable. He argued that this principle holds wisdom for international relations as well.

"The verse teaches us that even when ending a relationship or in conflict, one shouldn't destroy all bridges at once," he explained. "There should always be a path for return."

He pointed out that despite decades of strained relations and severed diplomatic ties, both Iran and the US maintain offices for the protection of their respective interests in each other's countries. "We've had a quarrel with America for 40-50 years," he noted, "yet both the Iranian interests section in the US and the American interests section in Iran remain open."

He implied that maintaining some level of communication, even through back channels, is crucial for keeping open the possibility of future reconciliation.

Earlier in the day, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei defended the slogan ‘Death to America,” about a week after he tacitly gave the green light to possible talks with the US.

Infighting among rival factions in Tehran continues over potential US negotiations. Several key politicians who previously opposed talks with the US are now repositioning themselves.

Despite Khamenei hinting at a willingness to negotiate, his representatives across the country criticized the government's approach and voiced their opposition to talks with Washington.

"The Iranian nation has the courage to say, 'Death to America,'" Khamenei told an audience gathered at his headquarters on Sunday.

Noting that Iran is not alone in the global struggle against oppressive powers, he said, “The difference between the Iranian nation and others is that it has the courage to say this reality that America is aggressive, a liar, a deceiver, and a colonialist and is not committed to any of the principles of humanity; therefore, it says 'Death to America,' but others do not have the courage to express these truths and stand against America and fulfill their share in the fight against arrogance.”

Since its establishment 46 years ago, Iran’s Islamic government has promoted the slogan "Death to America." However, many Iranians on social media and commentators within the country advocate for improved relations and criticize such rhetoric.

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Khamenei added that the Iranian nation not only did not suffer a blow and remained unscathed in its 46-year confrontation with the world's arrogant powers but also grew and progressed in all spheres. "Today's Iran is not the Iran of 40 years ago and has grown in all directions; the Iranian nation has been patient and striving and has made progress."

Tehran's confrontation with the United States has brought on harsh economic sanctions that have gradually weakened the country's economy, creating high, double-digit inflation and reduced international trade and investment.

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The Supreme Leader also pointed to the recent war in Gaza between its Palestinian ally Hamas and Israel, as an example of the defeat of Iran's two archenemies.

"No one could have imagined it: Gaza, a small and besieged territory, standing victorious against the combined might of Israel and the United States. This extraordinary outcome was only possible through divine intervention."

Since a ceasefire deal in Gaza last month, Iranian officials claim victory for Hamas, while their critics point to the large-scale destruction and loss of life among Palestinians.

Infighting among rival factions in Tehran continues over potential US negotiations following Khamenei’s implicit green light earlier this week—though tempered by his deep-seated distrust of America.

Meanwhile, several key politicians who previously opposed talks with the US are now repositioning themselves, adjusting their stances.

Despite Khamenei hinting at a willingness to negotiate, his representatives across the country criticized the government's approach and voiced their opposition to possible US talks.

Nima Gholam Ali Pour, an Iranian-born member of Sweden’s Parliament, said on Saturday that Parsi, who heads the Middle East and North Africa program at the institute, should not be employed by an organization funded by taxpayers.

“I will continue to work on this issue in the Riksdag until Rouzbeh Parsi is fired. It is completely unacceptable that a person who has promoted the interests of the Iranian regime should work for a tax-financed organization in Sweden,” he wrote on X.

His remarks follow a report by Sweden’s TV4, which linked Parsi to a network established by Iran’s foreign ministry to influence Western policy. The network referenced emails shared by Iran International, which had earlier revealed Tehran’s attempts to influence foreign analysts in a 2023 collaborative investigation with Semafor.

Gholam Ali Pour highlighted Iran’s history of espionage and illicit operations in Sweden, writing, “The Iranian regime has been conducting espionage in Sweden for decades. The regime has also planned assassinations in Sweden and uses criminal networks in Sweden to carry out acts of violence against other states and individuals.”

His comments come months after Sweden’s Security Service and Israel’s Mossad warned that Tehran was leveraging criminal groups in Europe to target Israeli embassies and individuals.

According to Reuters, Sweden’s security agency announced in May that Iranian operations had extended to foreign diplomatic representatives as well as opposition figures within the Iranian diaspora.

In a reference to European efforts to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, Gholam Ali Pour questioned Parsi’s role. “Should we expect the Institute of Foreign Policy to also employ “researchers” who support North Korea, Russia and China?” he asked.

Parsi has denied any cooperation with Tehran, saying that while Iran sought to shape Western perspectives, his participation was in the interest of foreign governments, including the UK’s Foreign Office.

In an interview aired on Al Jazeera, Araghchi called military action against Iran’s nuclear sites “one of the greatest historical mistakes the US could make.”

His comments follow growing concerns in Tehran that a second Trump administration could green light an Israeli attack on Iran.

On January 23, Donald Trump said that he hoped a deal over Iran's nuclear program would make it so that the United States did not have to support an Israeli attack on Iran.

Asked by a reporter in the Oval Office whether he would support Israel striking Iran's nuclear facilities, Trump said: "Obviously, I'm not going to answer that question."

"It would really be nice if that could be worked out without having to go that further step ... Iran hopefully will make a deal, and if they don't make a deal, I guess that's okay too."

In his interview with Al Jazeera, Araghchi suggested that unfreezing Iranian assets could serve as a confidence-building measure facilitating a deal between the two sides.

“The US has frozen Iran’s assets in various locations and has not fulfilled its commitments to release them. This move could be the first step toward establishing trust between us,” he said.

Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018, reinstating sanctions as part of his maximum pressure strategy. Iran responded by expanding its nuclear activities beyond the agreement’s limits.

During his campaign, Trump has indicated he would restore his previous policies, aiming to secure a broader deal that includes Iran’s missile program and regional influence.

A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister said on Thursday that Israel is closely monitoring Iran’s actions.

Omer Dostri said Benjamin Netanyahu believes the aggressive policy Trump pursued in his previous administration should be reinstated.

“War is one way to achieve our objectives… Even if Iran claims to comply, we must remain skeptical – it could be a deception. Trump’s previous policy of ‘maximum pressure’ worked, and Israel expects to collaborate with him to restore it,” he told the Jerusalem Post.

“If a deal is possible, he will try to make a deal. But in the end, there’s a limit to how much diplomacy can achieve. We’ll give it a chance, but the clock is ticking. If necessary, we will act – with or without American approval.”