Iran Says West Avoids Real Negotiations, Seeks Pressure Instead
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani denounced the US and its allies for pursuing pressure tactics rather than genuine talks, citing demands to limit Iran’s missile range as proof of Western insincerity.
Speaking on a television program, Larijani said the West refuses to engage in real negotiations with Iran.
He argued that Washington and its partners believe they now have an opportunity to exert maximum pressure.
He stated that Western governments and the Israeli regime wrongly assume that economic pressure could trigger social unrest in Iran and use that as leverage.
Larijani stressed that Tehran has already tested multiple channels, from talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency to exploring direct contacts with the United States.
He recalled that Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei made clear that talks should only take place within the G5+1 framework if no preconditions are imposed.
“When the Americans openly say your missiles must not exceed 500 kilometers, it shows they do not want real negotiations,” Larijani said.
He added that although sanctions have created hardships, Iran would resist efforts aimed at weakening the nation.
He noted that widespread restrictions by the West have effectively created an alliance of sanctioned countries.
Larijani also criticized the 2015 nuclear deal’s “snapback” mechanism, saying it was flawed.
He explained that during his tenure as parliament speaker and while the JCPOA negotiations were underway, he had proposed a joint mechanism involving an Iranian representative, a G5+1 representative, and a neutral arbiter to resolve disputes, but the idea was rejected.
“First the United States and then Europe violated the deal, yet now they accuse Iran of non-compliance,” he said about the 2015 nuclear deal.
