Moderate Khamenei Hints At Negotiations Under Pezeshkian

Iran's Khamenei Opens the Door to Nuclear Talks, with Conditions

Moderate Khamenei hints at negotiations under Pezeshkian

Iran's Supreme Leader gives red lines, warns against trusting U.S.

In a significant development, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has indicated a willingness to engage in renewed negotiations with the US over his country's nuclear program.

However, Khamenei set clear red lines for any potential talks, emphasizing that they must be held under the leadership of President Masoud Pezeshkian, a relative moderate.

In a speech, Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters, cautioned Pezeshkian's Cabinet against trusting the U.S., emphasizing that they should be "very careful and not trust the enemy."

Khamenei's stance on negotiations

• Has occasionally urged talks or openness to diplomacy
• Previously dismissed negotiations with President Obama as "useless."
• Nuclear program has advanced rapidly under his watch, raising international concerns.

The US perspective

The Biden administration has expressed a willingness to return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a nuclear deal negotiated under the Obama administration and subsequently abandoned by the Trump administration.

However, the U.S. has insisted that Iran must first return to compliance with the deal, which it has been violating in recent years.

The implications for nuclear talks

Khamenei's remarks suggest a potential shift in Iran's stance on nuclear negotiations and could lead to renewed diplomatic efforts.

However, it remains to be seen whether the two sides can find common ground and reach an agreement that addresses both Iran's security concerns and the international community's concerns about its nuclear program.