An Iranian state television broadcast was abruptly cut on Thursday after hardline lawmaker Mahmoud Nabavian read what he described as highly classified messages from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Nabavian, a member of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said Khamenei opposed negotiations with the United States and complained that the terms he had set were not reflected in the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries.
During the live appearance, Nabavian said Khamenei had repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the talks, asked why his conditions were not being met, and believed Iran should not rush into any agreement. He quoted remarks attributed to Khamenei saying Iran was under no pressure to negotiate, that the talks should focus on ending the war and securing compensation, and that the nuclear issue should not be discussed. He also claimed Khamenei ordered negotiators not to discuss the “main issue,” a reference to Iran’s nuclear program, and later called for the talks to be stopped.
Nabavian further said Khamenei reiterated his nuclear stance on April 4, 18 and 24, demanding either full recognition of Iran’s right to enrich uranium or removal of the nuclear file from the agenda. He also said Khamenei sees the Strait of Hormuz as a key leverage point against the United States, and that any easing of U.S. pressure would require preconditions including compensation and debt payments. According to Nabavian, the Strait should remain under sole Iranian control, without even a role for Oman, and he claimed the guidance appeared in a March 12 message.
After the broadcast was stopped, Iran’s state broadcaster said Nabavian’s remarks could constitute a legal violation because he referred to classified documents and communications involving senior officials. The broadcaster said one manager resigned and disciplinary steps would follow. The episode drew criticism even from conservative circles, with Mashregh editor-in-chief Hossein Soleimani accusing Nabavian of selectively citing only part of a broader set of about 20 communications. The uproar came as an Iranian delegation led by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, along with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, central bank chief Abdolnaser Hemmati and other officials, arrived in Switzerland for technical talks with the United States. The delegation is also facing the backdrop of renewed Iranian military restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz and separate guidance from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council telling media not to frame the Strait issue as evidence of a split between military pressure and diplomacy.
