Interview with ILNA, January 20, 2025 -
The interview was in Persian and the translation below was done by Ai.
In an interview with ILNA reporter, Sasan Karimi, the vice president for politics and strategy, stated: "The Islamic Republic of Iran's opinion is a principled opinion expressed by the foreign minister and the president, which is that in principle we have no problem with negotiations under honorable conditions. In any case, Mr. Trump is no longer a watermelon in a bag and we have experienced him and he has also experienced politics. Therefore, we are facing a clearer situation than in the past."
Iran's attempt is to organize Trump's policies itself, not by ill-wishers like Netanyahu
He continued: Trump has the option of choosing either path, falling into Netanyahu's trap and trying to continue the futile position of maximum pressure, which is naturally costly, but of no use. But on the other hand, he may, in line with his desire to make history, try to turn the challenge with Iran into one of the so-called issues on which he has been able to play a role historically and be a deal-maker. In my opinion, what the Islamic Republic of Iran is doing and should be doing is trying to organize Trump's policy on Iran itself, not by ill-wishers like Mr. Netanyahu.
In response to the question of whether a precondition or red line will be set by Iran and the United States for the start of negotiations, the university professor stated: "Precondition is different from a red line. All negotiations in the world have a red line." In principle, I do not see preconditions as constructive, whether they are from the Islamic Republic of Iran or from the United States and other countries. Accepting and raising this issue further marginalizes the topic of negotiations.
The Europeans blind, but do not heal
Regarding the nuclear negotiations that are underway between Iran and Europe, and two rounds of these talks have been held, he stated: The Europeans do not have much ability to organize positively, but they do destroy everything very quickly. Therefore, as Mr. Zarif said, they blind, but do not heal. Therefore, these talks are a kind of repellent and at least consultations to prevent the Europeans from destroying any relationship between Iran and the West, especially the United States. In any case, the credibility of the European countries and the European Union remains intact.
Europeans can always play a role on the US side
Karimi added: If we think that Europeans can ease the pressure that the US wants to put on us, it is a mistake because Europeans have neither the possibility nor the will to do so. If we are to have a kind of tactical convergence with the US and on limited issues that the regime specifies within the determined framework and reach a conclusion, Europeans can play a role. Therefore, Europeans can always play a role on the US side and do not have much independent power to act.
Today's world is not a world of West and East and we should not remain soldiers of the Cold War
This international relations analyst stated regarding the impact of the connections between Iran and the East on establishing relations with Western countries: In any case, the Islamic Republic is trying to improve its foreign relations with all the countries it recognizes as much as possible. If there is any tension, it should manage the tension. But this is like all other countries that can work with all corners of the world in this unit, and we are no exception. That is, if you compare Iran with countries like Turkey, Arab countries, Pakistan, and other countries, all these countries cooperate with each other, with Europe, with both the United States and China, with Malaysia, with Russia, and with Turkey. Today's world is not the world of the West and the East, and we should not remain soldiers of the Cold War. The bipolar world is the past, and basically the bipolar world is no longer the past, and we should not fall into the trap of Cold War analyses.
We will try to pursue the promotion of the country's dignity
Referring to the future of Iran's foreign policy, Karimi noted: According to the words of the Imam, we are commissioned to do our duty, not to achieve results. Therefore, the foreign policy apparatus, namely the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all those who work in the field of foreign policy, strive from an equal and honorable position to advance and promote national interests, national security, and national dignity. Naturally, this depends on various issues and parameters in the region and the international and domestic environment, not all of which are within the control of the people at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, in any case, we will try as much as possible to promote the country's dignity and pursue its desired position.
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