Iran’s Hardline Daily Criticizes Ex-FM’s Call For Dialogue With US

Kayhan, a newspaper affiliated with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's office, slammed comments by the former foreign minister about the need for talks with the US.

In an interview on Sunday, Iran's former foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, suggested that both Iran and the US share responsibility for their strained relationship. Salehi pointed out that bilateral ties have been fraught with negativity since the Islamic revolution of 1979. He expressed the continued need for comprehensive political talks with the West considering current regional and international conditions.

In response to his remarks, Kayhan lashed out at Salehi for not learning from past mistakes. The newspaper argued after the 2015 nuclear deal -- Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – Iran still faced sanctions despite complying with the nuclear program agreements and that the US could potentially withdraw from future deals, given their past actions.

The newspaper lamented that instead of acknowledging the damage caused by the JCPOA, individuals like Salehi continue to advocate for relations with the US and Europe, using the same damages as justification. It further questioned Salehi's position, stating that he was responsible for the JCPOA's consequences and received personal benefits from the agreement.

Kayhan concluded that “it is regrettable to witness someone who played a role in the JCPOA's creation now promoting dialogue with the US and Europe while ignoring the past negative outcomes of such engagements.” The newspaper implied that Salehi's current stance lacks foresight and fails to consider the consequences of previous attempts at diplomatic engagement with the United States and its allies.