The US fundamentally ...
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Negotiations can take place only when both sides are prepared to work toward a mutually acceptable, win-win outcome, not when one party tries to impose or dictate terms.
This does not mean the door to diplomacy is closed. As Iranian officials, from Ali Larijani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have repeatedly stated, talks are always possible. But Washington’s insistence on dictation is simply unacceptable.
The Leader said the US suffered a major loss during the war in June. From Iran’s perspective, what does that loss represent?
Before the 12-day war, Washington still had an opportunity to reach an agreement with Iran. A deal in the sixth round of talks was considered within reach, something that would have greatly benefited the United States. But the US chose to enter a war with Iran and lost.
Before the conflict, many anticipated that Iran would fail to stand its ground or that the Establishment could collapse. None of that happened. On the contrary, the Islamic Republic emerged more confident, and the Iranian people rallied behind their country.
This unity bolstered the confidence of the state, the Armed Forces, and the government, empowering Iran to confront US demands more decisively. Post-war Iran is no longer willing to accept what it might have tolerated before. Tehran is now convinced that Washington and Israel lack the capability to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, which is now increasingly opaque to Western intelligence, something that is clearly unnerving them.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Armed Forces identified their weaknesses and strengths and are now doubling down on their advantages to ensure that, should another conflict erupt, they respond even more forcefully. Beyond that, countries that once questioned Iran’s capacity to face off against the US and Israel now hold a stronger conviction about Iran’s capabilities, resulting in deeper engagement with Tehran.
Ayatollah Khamenei urged Iranians to remain united against external enemies despite internal differences. What challenges stand in the way of achieving such unity?
Iran’s adversaries spend considerable effort trying to undermine national unity, whether through extensive propaganda campaigns designed to sow discord, or via infiltrators inside the country who pretend to support the Establishment while effectively playing into the enemy’s hands.
Besides, there are individuals whose poor performance or misguided decisions create social divisions. Many of these officials have proven ineffective for years yet remain in office, often inadvertently fanning the flames of discord.
But problems exist everywhere. Differences of opinion are part of normal political life everywhere. Iran is no exception. People may have grievances, hold divergent political views, or criticize one another but national unity is what foiled the plan that Israel worked on for 25 years, and the US for over two decades, to weaken and fragment Iran.