Kharrazi: Iran is ready for indirect negotiations

Kamal Kharrazi, head of the Strategic Council for Foreign Relations, in analyzing the US negotiating strategy and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s lack of acceptance of it, said: What is observed today in the behavior of the US ruling body is a psychological war by instilling a policy of “either war or negotiations” through sending contradictory messages from American officials.

Kharrazi clarified: Mr. Trump’s recent positions and the vague references made by some American officials to his letter and its widespread publication in Western and regional media are aimed at creating a kind of imaginary optimism, confusion and also creating a bipolar atmosphere in the country.

He added: "So that some people inside the country think that a window has been opened to resolve the historical problems between Iran and the United States, and Mr. Trump sincerely wants to improve relations with Iran, but of course, he also has opponents in the US government structure."

The head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, raising the question, "What is the real US strategy?", said: "The US strategy is an invitation to negotiate, in the light of intensifying economic sanctions and military threats, with the aim of forcing Iran to accept negotiations under pressure, the principles governing which are neither clear, nor, based on past experiences, can it trust the promises and signatures of its counterpart. The result of this strategy is nothing more than imposing the will of one side on the other in an atmosphere of domination and threats."

Kharrazi stated: If Mr. Trump had known Iran and the Iranian spirit, had learned from the past, and had honestly or even commercially sought to resolve the historical problems between Iran and the United States for the economic interests of his country, he would have acted differently:

1- He knew the spirit of the Iranians, who, due to their thousands of years of civilization, never accept humiliation and do not surrender to threats and pressure from foreigners, just as they stood up to the heavily armed Iraqi Baath regime, supported by all powers, including the United States, and liberated their land.

2- He knew that the spirit of chivalry and generosity of the Iranians does not allow them to overcome the tyranny and bullying of others, but when they see humility and honesty on the other side, they behave accordingly.

3- It accepted that Islamic Iran had not only been able to overcome war, political pressure, and economic sanctions, but also, as a regional power, strengthened the foundations of its security and independence, and therefore concluded that it should not engage in forceful confrontation with such a country.

4- Instead of repeating previous mistakes, it would honestly accept the principles governing a real negotiation, namely the principle of equality, mutual respect, and avoidance of threats and pressure, and thus, would gain the trust of the Iranians, who want a fair negotiation and not tyranny and coercion.

The head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations clarified: But the reality is that the new and novice American officials lack the historical memory of the failure of past methods and continue to repeat their bullying positions. They think they can drag us into a negotiation whose outcome is already determined.

Kharrazi said: "Of course, the Islamic Republic of Iran has not closed all avenues, but is ready for indirect negotiations to assess the other side, announce its conditions, and make the appropriate decision."