WANA (Apr 16) – The conflicting stance taken by Steve Witkoff, the U.S. President’s Special Representative for Middle East Affairs and chief negotiator with the Islamic Republic of Iran, has prompted a strong reaction from Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

In recent hours, Witkoff’s position on indirect U.S.-Iran negotiations has undergone an almost complete U-turn. While just days ago—during and after the Oman talks—he emphasized continued discussions focused solely on Iran’s nuclear program and implicitly acknowledged ongoing enrichment, he suddenly took to X (formerly Twitter) to call for the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear capabilities and parts of its defense industry. This stark shift drew a firm response from the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

 

Esmail Baghaei described Witkoff’s remarks as a fundamental misstep, warning that such statements will undoubtedly be perceived as evidence of Washington’s lack of goodwill and seriousness. He further cautioned against extremist factions in the U.S. attempting to derail negotiations by imposing their own agenda on the administration. He added that such misguided and radical approaches could disrupt the fragile framework of resumed dialogue.

 

Baghaei wrote: “In football, moving the goalposts is considered unprofessional and unfair. In diplomacy, such a tactic—pushed by hardliners with no understanding of reasonable negotiation—can sabotage any fresh start. It signals a lack of seriousness and goodwill. We are still in a testing phase…”

 

This warning comes amid indications that certain U.S. officials have yet to align their positions with the facts on the ground.

 

What is evident is that the American side must recognize the need to stop recycling distorted narratives about Iran. For years, false assumptions and damaging portrayals have replaced logical judgment in Washington, undermining efforts to understand the real issues at hand.

 

It is therefore essential for the new U.S. negotiating team to base its policies on real-world conditions and the lessons of past failures. Establishing shared ground for constructive engagement requires abandoning unreliable narratives and shifting from maximalist demands to reciprocal interests. For example, in return for verifiable commitments, the U.S. should work to effectively lift sanctions against Iran. Only by securing mutual benefits can meaningful progress in the talks be achieved.