Reports from a hardline Iranian newspaper quote Foreign Minister Javad Zarif as confirming he and President Hassan Rouhani were rebuked by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over their recent diplomatic overtures to the US.
The efforts during the officials’ visit to the UN General Assembly had drawn intense criticism from Iranian conservatives, who argued the reformists shouldn’t trust the US, ironically echoing similar opposition to rapprochement among US hawks.
Khamenei had reportedly objected to two specific points, believing Zarif’s meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry was too long, and that the 15-minute phone call between Rouhani and Obama was a “misstep.” Zarif said it had been his understanding that both were in keeping with the authority they were given for diplomatic efforts.
Khamenei had publicly said the US wasn’t trustworthy and that some of the diplomatic aspects of the trip were “not proper,” but had not offered any specifics. At present, it seems he is trying to avoid undermining the newly elected Rouhani while still avoiding alienating hardliners who see this as just the latest in a long line of embarrassing failures to return to an equitable diplomatic standing with the US.
Kerry just made a plain statement that no offer would be made. He demanded compliance with past demands, offering nothing in return.
This is the only possible response. The Iranians are covering their possible retreat if the US does what it says it will.
And just what can Iran do when a most brutal and imperial Empire is going all out to expand in it's direction? Especially when most of the world, including America's voting majority, love the idea of US economy getting a big boost by stealing Iran's oil fieds at guin-point.
Khamenei has a very valid point that ",,,the US wasn’t trustworthy…"
Could Khamenei end up being the new Ahmadinejad in the news media since Rouhani is the anti-Ahmadinejad?