Analysis by PMOI/MEK
Iran, August 28, 2019–A visit by Iranian regime Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France and reports in this regard resulted in increasing tensions and debates inside the Iranian regime. In contrast to very specific remarks made by the mullahs’ Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, regime President Hassan Rouhani reiterated the mullahs’ desperate status quo. Rouhani emphasized he is ready to appear in any session and meet anyone, emphasizing the regime’s utter misery.
“I believe we must use any tool for our national interests. If I know that going to a session and meeting with someone will make my country more prosperous, I will not hesitate,” he said on August 26.
In response, Keyhan daily, known as Khamenei’s mouthpiece, described Zarif’s rushed visit to Biarritz as “sending a message of weakness and desperation” by the regime.
“The fact that our country’s top diplomat returns to Paris quickly following his previous visit is nothing but a message of weakness and desperation. These uncalled-for measures will certainly lead to nothing but more greed and pressure…,” the article reads.
Following Rouhani’s remarks prior to the joint press conference between U.S. President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, literally inviting himself for negotiations with Trump, more than 80 members of the regime’s Majlis (parliament) issued a strong warning through a letter.
“Why are you taking positions in contrast to the leader? Why are you seeking to meet and negotiate with an individual that you yourself described as crazy and [Khamenei] said we will never negotiate with this U.S. government under any circumstance, emphasizing this is a killer poison,” the letter reads in part.
The Majlis session discussing this issue became very tense and heated.
“You must immediately voice your position and deny that you sought talks with Trump,” one Majlis member said in remarks aimed at Rouhani.
“Following the death of the JCPOA (referring to the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), some people are playing political games that will deliver severe setbacks for the country… Mr. Rouhani, no one is providing you any permission to start this new game. You yourself came here and said negotiating with the U.S. is crazy,” said Nasrollah Pejhmanfar, another member of the regime’s Majlis.
However, all the noise made about a possible Trump/Rouhani meeting and sanctions being lifted were silenced in less than 24 hours. Rouhani himself, obviously warned by Khamenei and his rivals, was forced to take back his own remarks. This is yet another reminder that Rouhani is merely another character in Khamenei’s masquerade in Iran.
“For someone wanting to take a picture with Hassan Rouhani, that’s not possible. In regards to Iran and the U.S., without the U.S. lifting its sanctions and ending this wrong policy, we will not witness any positive development. The key to positive developments is in the hands of Washington,” he said on Tuesday.
Desperate to save face and prevent an utter humiliation, Zarif immediately followed in line and made it clear that a meeting between Rouhani and Trump is not possible. “A meeting between the Iranian President and Mr. Trump is not possible until the U.S. returns to the 5+1 group and implements the JCPOA. Even then there will not be a bilateral meeting,” he said.
