After a week of optimism, Iran appears to be slightly less optimistic about a possible deal with the US. It’s unclear if this is in reaction to US envoy Steve Witkoff’s recent statements or an attempt to downplay the second round of talks expected to take place soon.
Iran cannot afford to wait for a deal with Washington, the country’s government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said. What she means is that Iran has economic needs, and if a deal does not happen soon, the door might close, apparently.
“Mohajerani said the government’s position aligns with that of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who said national problems should not be tied to negotiations,” the Iranian state media report said.
She downplayed a deal and noted that it would take a while for the benefits of a potential agreement to trickle down to the public. Clearly, Iran doesn’t want the people to get their hopes up.
Meanwhile, “Ayatollah Khamenei said on Tuesday that none of Iran’s industrial, economic, construction-related, or cultural affairs are in any way dependent on the talks with the US,” IRNA noted.
During a meeting with top government officials, Khamenei said that the talks that began in Oman “may or may not yield results.” Iran must continue on its path either way. Iran, thus, is not putting all its eggs in this basket. Iran is “neither too optimistic nor too pessimistic,” the leader said. “Of course, we are very skeptical of the other party but confident in our own capabilities,” he added.
Message to Putin
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also conveyed a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “He will be carrying a message from Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei to Russian President Vladimir Putin during an upcoming trip to Moscow,” IRNA noted.
“The purpose of my trip to Russia is to convey the Leader’s written message to Russia’s leadership, which will be delivered during a meeting with Mr. Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president,” Araghchi told reporters after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Iran and Russia are close partners. Iran supplies Russia with drones used against Ukraine.
Iranian army ready to protect against threats
Meanwhile, the Iranian army and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps assured Iran that they are strong and can protect against threats. This is in response to the US moving a second aircraft carrier into the region.
IRGC commander Maj.-Gen. Hossein Salami praised the coordination and interaction between the Army and the IRGC while speaking on Wednesday in Tehran ahead of National Army Day, which falls on April 18, IRNA noted. “He said that the strategic partnership between the two military forces has strengthened the country’s defense capabilities and frustrated Iran’s enemies, who are against Iran’s independence and progress.”
In other news in Iran, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian thanked Mohammad-Javad Zarif, his former vice president for strategic affairs. Zarif, who had to leave the government recently, was part of the 2015 deal.
“In a message on Wednesday, the president acknowledged that ‘a set of constraints’ had led to Zarif’s exit from the administration but said he was still willing to