Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (File)
Trump-Iran Indirect Talks Begin in Oman
On March 8, addressing officials and military personnel, Iran’s Supreme Leader rejected a letter from Donald Trump broaching the possibility of discussions over Tehran’s nuclear program.
“The insistence on the part of some bully states on negotiations is not to resolve issues, but to dominate and impose their own expectations. The Islamic Republic of Iran will definitely not accept their demands,” Ayatollah Khamenei assured.
Five weeks later in Oman, Iranian officials were engaging — albeit indirectly — with Trump Administration representatives, led by the real estate developed Steve Witkoff.
So why did the Supreme Leader relent?
“Two senior Iranian officials” gave the answer to Farnaz Fassihi of the New York Times: Khamenei was told that Iran’s economy might collapse — and his regime might be overthrown — if he did not modify his anti-American stance and rhetoric.
The urgent, hours-long meeting included the heads of the three Government branches: President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary head
Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.
All three said negotiations, direct if necessary, were essential to avert the danger to Khamenei’s rule. The currency had reached new historic lows with a fall of almost 35% since late November. Iranians were enduring a lack of gas, electricity, and water. Infrastructure was in dire shape. Pezeshkian said management of the crises could not be maintained, as the government announced new power cuts for Tehran this month. The production lines of factories were threatened and in some areas severe water shortages were forcing the closure of schools and government offices.
And if the Supreme Leader held out against talks, they warned, military strikes by the US and/or Israel on Iran’s nuclear complexes at Natanz and Fordow were inevitable. If Tehran retaliated, the wider conflict could further damage the economy and spark protests and strikes. Qalibaf said the situation could quickly spiral out of control.
So at the end of the meeting, Khamenei granted permission for talks, initially indirect. If these went well, direct negotiations could follow.
The Supreme Leader appointed his senior advisors — former Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi on foreign policy, former Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani on strategy, and Mohammad Forouzandeh on military matters — to manage the negotiations in close coordination with the Foreign Ministry.
On March 28, Iran sent a formal reply to Trump’s letter with its acceptance.
On Saturday, after four exchanges over 2 1/2 hours with the Americans, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi briefly met Witkoff in the presence of Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi.
Araqchi said the talks took place in a “constructive atmosphere based on mutual respect” and will continue on Saturday.
And Pezeshkian has already hinted that the talks can go much farther. He said on Wednesday that Khamenei is open to allowing American businesses and investors to enter Iran’s markets.
” varharan on April 16, 2025 at 13:35
So you would be happy for the U. S and Israel to attack the nuclear facilities and armed forces?”
I have zero sympathy with YOU and YOUR kind and the “armed forces” that kills its own civilian people . The fewer of you the better it will be. That is the sentiment of “vast majority” of people in iran.
DID I ANSWER YOUR QUESTION?
Because when push comes to shove, a bully knows he’s a weakling when a big boy comes to play
Iran says talks with US to focus solely on nuclear issue, lifting sanctions: https://www.newarab.com/news/iran-says-talks-us-focus-solely-nuclear-issue
Iran’s conservative Javan daily praised the US for not seeking to expand the negotiations to non-nuclear issues….Meanwhile, the reformist Shargh newspaper said it was a “decisive turning point” in Iran-US relations…..Several Iranian websites that track the unofficial exchange rate reported Sunday a strengthening of the Iranian rial to around 850,000 to the US dollar, from more than one million in recent days.”
You have to take Fassihi’s hyperobolic reporting with a pinch of salt. This episode was not a massive U-turn so much as a rhetorical play to ensure that Khamenei can say, if the talks fail, I told you so. Iran was never not going to talk to the Trump administration. If the account is true, however, it shows the substantial influence that Pezeshkian and Ghalibaf, the elected president and speaker, have in the decision-making process. An attack on Iran is unlikely to lead to protests because the vast majority of Iranians support their nuclear program and armed forces. But they would be angered if their government did not first try diplomacy to avert it. Meanwhile, hope in the negotiations, and a dollar weakened by the tariffs debacle, has led the rial to surge and it is currently trading at less than 900,000 to the USD: https://www.bon-bast.com/
“…because the vast majority of Iranians support their nuclear program and armed forces. …”
According to you– the hired regime mouth piece
So you would be happy for the U. S and Israel to attack the nuclear facilities and armed forces?