Iranian media debate US talks, Russia’s intentions

Divisions over US negotiations, economic hardship from sanctions, and concerns that Russia may use Iran’s nuclear program as leverage with Washington dominate debate in Tehran’s government-controlled media.

Addressing the uncertainty surrounding foreign policy and relations with the United States after Khamenei's rejection of talks, the centrist daily Ham Mihan wrote, "What Khamenei said highlighted a tactic rather than a strategy. Conservatives should not assume that their hardline stance has prevailed over the Reformists' push for compromise, nor should Reformists be discouraged by Khamenei's latest remarks on negotiations."

Meanwhile, Reformist figure Mostafa Hashemi-Taba criticized President Masoud Pezeshkian’s “national reconciliation” policy, particularly his cooperation with hardliners and their growing influence in the government. In a commentary in Shargh, Hashemi-Taba questioned the lack of consensus with hardliners on Iran’s most pressing foreign policy issues. "Well, you advanced a national reconciliation plan, but what happened next? You could claim success if there were some agreements among officials on how to address Iran’s problems."

"If you still insist that what you pursued was truly national reconciliation, then ask yourself—so what? What’s next? Beyond repeatedly stating your desire to solve the country’s problems, what concrete steps will you take?" Hashemi-Taba challenged Pezeshkian, criticizing his inaction and his government's lack of a clear plan.

He also condemned Iran’s ruling circles for “claiming to be revolutionary while squandering the country’s resources.”

Meanwhile, hardliners continued to reject President Trump's offer for negotiations. The hardline daily Farhikhtegan accused Iranian reformists of "trying to pave the way for talks with America by distorting Trump's statement and pretending his behavior is normal."

The newspaper acknowledged that the people face serious economic and financial hardships, stating, “The government cannot tackle the nation's increasing dissatisfaction and foreign pressures at the same time." However, it echoed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and hardliners, insisting that the government should address the crisis without turning to negotiations with the United States.

Hardliners have maintained this argument for the past seven years, but without the removal of US sanctions, the government has limited options to revive the economy.

Farhikhtegan further accused reformists of idealism and attempting to downplay what it called Trump’s anti-Iran executive memorandum, stating, "They are lost in their dreams, ignoring reality."

The news of a lengthy phone call between Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin intensified debate in Tehran’s media over Moscow’s true intentions and its possible plans to use Iran as a bargaining chip with the US president.

Even before that phone call, the centrist website Entekhab quoted Mahmoud Shouri, deputy director of the Iranian and Eurasian Studies Center, as saying, "At present, Russia has no opportunity to intervene in discussions between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program. However, Moscow is certainly uneasy about the program becoming unmanageable."

Shouri added, "Russia does not want Iran to become a nuclear power, but Iran should not be preoccupied with Moscow’s concerns, as Russia does not play a decisive role in the future of Iran’s nuclear program."

These remarks came days after Moscow’s ambassador in Tehran told the press, "Negotiations with Iran will not yield results without Moscow and Beijing." He emphasized that "Russia supports the 5+1 framework for talks with Iran, but unfortunately, Western countries are trying to exclude Russia and China from the negotiations."