Iran’s President Tells Protesters Nuclear and U.S. Talks Are Not His Call

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed growing domestic criticism on Sunday over Tehran’s contacts with the United States, saying the government alone does not decide whether Iran moves toward war or negotiations. He said those strategic choices belong to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Supreme National Security Council, and all factions in the country must follow their decisions.

Pezeshkian also pushed back against attacks on Iran’s negotiation team, saying it was wrong to accuse them of treason or selling out the country. “The decisions on war and negotiations with the United States are made by the Supreme Leader and the Supreme National Security Council, and all currents must obey these decisions,” he said. “It is unfortunate to use labels such as ‘betrayal’ and ‘selling the country’ against Iran’s negotiating team.”

He added that public debate in Iranian state television about war and talks with Washington does not necessarily reflect the positions of the Supreme National Security Council, the Supreme Defense Council, or the Supreme Leader’s instructions. The comments came amid protests and criticism in Iran over the negotiations with the U.S.

The remarks were made after Israel said it was preparing for the possibility of Iranian fire following an Israeli military strike in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district. Israeli security officials assess that if Iran decides to retaliate, the order would come from the highest levels in Tehran, the same centers of power Pezeshkian identified as the real decision-makers.