Khamenei advisor: People take priority over nuclear pursuits

Ali Larijani, an advisor to the Supreme Leader, signaled a softer stance on Iran’s nuclear program, calling it vital but stressing that it should not overshadow broader progress, as “people must live their lives.”

The nuclear program is a pillar of our development, but not its entirety, he said on Saturday, stressing that despite his direct role in past negotiations, its scope must remain within defined limits.

"The nuclear issue is part of our national strength, but it is not all of it. People must live their lives, and progress must be achieved in various fields. The nuclear agreement [JCPOA] preserved nuclear knowledge, ensuring its continuation, but reduced the number of centrifuges from 9,000 to 5,000," Larijani, who is considered a moderate conservative in the Islamic Republic's political spectrum, argued.

His comments come as Iran’s leadership wrestles with the idea of re-engaging with Washington over the nuclear program in order to reduce US economic sanctions.

Mahmoud Vaezi, the former chief of staff to ex-President Hassan Rouhani, suggested that Tehran should talk to President Donald Trump through key figures inside the US rather than third countries.

"Trump today is different from before—he’s got four years of experience under his belt," Vaezi said on Saturday. "It’s better to talk to him through certain people in the US rather than countries with their agendas." It was unclear whether Vaezi was referring to those who have long advocated for accommodation with Tehran or other intermediaries.

Vaezi also warned against letting Israel dictate Iran’s place on America’s foreign policy agenda. His stance echoes that of Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who recently said that while Tehran is open to discussions, any new deal will be much harder to achieve than in 2018.

"The situation is different and much more difficult than the previous time," Araghchi said. "Lots of things should be done by the other side to buy our confidence … All we have heard is just nice words, and this is obviously not enough."

After Trump said earlier this month that it would be "nice" to resolve the nuclear crisis without escalation or military action from Israel, reactions in Iran have been anything but uniform.

While some officials hint at a willingness to explore diplomacy, hardline clerics are having none of it. Mohammad-Mehdi Hosseini Hamedani, the Friday prayer Imam of Karaj and the Supreme Leader’s representative in Alborz province lashed out at those pushing for talks, accusing them of misleading the public.

"The enemy threatens us daily, yet some still talk about negotiations," he warned. Another cleric, Abdolnabi Mousavi-Fard, called any broad discussions with Washington a "surrender to illegitimate American demands."

Their pushback comes after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei made an ambiguous statement earlier this week, telling officials to “know their enemy” before entering any talks. Some see this as a quiet nod to negotiations, while others insist it’s just another reminder to stay wary of the US.

The debate over whether to engage with Trump is exposing deep divisions in Iran’s leadership. While some see an opportunity, hardliners are digging in, warning that diplomacy could mean dangerous compromises. Reformists argue that isolation is not a sustainable strategy and that engagement with global powers, including the US, could help lift sanctions and improve Iran’s economy.