Calls For Direct Talks With The US Continue In Iran

Voices calling for direct talks with the United States continue to be heard in Iran, as top officials recently signaled a shift in their hardline position.

Moderate conservative website Aftab News in Tehran called on Iranians not to scorn the country's officials for delaying direct negotiations with the United States now that they have indicated a policy shift to serve the country's interests.

Instead, the people should support the government for the right choice they have made by distancing themselves from irrelevant factional interests, the website wrote on Saturday, January 29.

The website was probably referring to Qom seminary clerics who called on Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian to backtrack from his declared position in support of direct talks, or to hardliner Kayhan's editor Hossein Shariatmadari who forced Security Chief Ali Shamkhani to repent and take back his statement in favor of direct negotiations.

Aftab News praised Amir-Abdollahian for softening his positions regarding nuclear talks aimed at reviving the 2015 agreement known as the JCPOA, mindless of the fact that such a shift would have not been possible if Supreme Leader Ali Khameneri had not signalled his agreement on January 9.

The website added that Iran can defend its interests in the international community while at the same time preserving its principles. The website called the shift in Iran's foreign policy "a reasonable shift." The article was probably part of the attempts to prepare public opinion in case a compromise with the West is made.

Gholamreza Nouri, an Iranian lawyer told Rouydad24 news website in Tehran that the time is over for Iranian politicians who in their speeches say they wish to punch this and that country in the mouth. "It is now in our interest to maintain direct contact with the world and interact with other countries,” he said

Expressing support for direct talks with the United States, Nouri criticized regime politicians who attack the current and former administrations for simply mentioning an interest in interaction with the world. He said in many of those who readily opposed direct talks with the United States have quickly shifted their position, but regardless of their motivation, “we should all be happy” to see that some of the opponents of interaction with America are now supporting the idea of direct talks with Washington.

During the past few days several lawmakers including members of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Majles have expressed support for direct talks with the United States.

Meanwhile, reformist activist Saeed Shariati told Roiuydad24 website that the public discussion about a dialogue between Iran and the United States has loosened the strong opposition of some regime supporters. He added that direct talks with America will add to President Ebrahim Raisi’s popularity, and even those who did not vote for him in the June 2021 election, will begin to support him.

Raisi was elected in the lowest presidential election turnout in Iran after key rivals were banned from running and has not solved any of the numerous crises facing the country.

According to Khabar Online, last week, following Iranian hardliners' vocal support for relying on Russia and China in Iran's foreign policy, some politicians and observers have come out arguing for a balanced foreign policy.