WANA (Nov 14) – Mehdi Fazaeli, a member of the Office for the Preservation and Publication of the Works of the Leader of the Islamic Republic, offered clarification after his recent remarks attracted wide media attention. He explained that his comments—that “the Leader of the Revolution does not consider negotiations with the United States absolutely forbidden”—referred to past experiences, including the JCPOA period, and should not be interpreted as a sign of any shift in the Islamic Republic’s current policy. The clarification, issued a day after the initial quotes were published, once again drew attention to one of Iran’s most sensitive foreign-policy issues.

 

Earlier, at an academic conference titled “Leadership and National Diplomacy” in Qom, Fazaeli had outlined the decision-making process of the Leader regarding talks with the United States. He stressed that Ayatollah Khamenei does not view negotiations as “categorically prohibited,” but permits them only within the framework of the system’s higher interests and under a “conditional, limited, and tightly controlled” mechanism. However, he noted that the Leader has no “strategic trust” in Washington, and that past experiences—including the nuclear negotiations—have deepened this distrust.

Moniz's participation in the JCPOA negotiations. Social Media / WANA News Agency

Moniz’s participation in the JCPOA negotiations. Social Media / WANA News Agency

Fazaeli described the Leader’s approach to negotiations on two levels: first, the dimension of prudence and national interest under external pressure; and second, the calibration of the scope of talks so that dialogue is not interpreted as retreat. He also recalled that in authorizing the nuclear negotiations, the Leader took into account not only strategic considerations but also “respect for the people’s vote.”

 

Referring to the Leader’s repeated warnings between 2012 and 2015, Fazaeli said that even if the nuclear issue were resolved, the United States would raise other matters such as Iran’s missile program or its regional role. This, he argued, shows that Tehran has never relied on a single diplomatic track.

A book with a cover design of the Iran-US negotiations is seen in Tehran

A book with a cover design of the Iran-US negotiations is seen in Tehran, Iran, April 26, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Fazaeli further emphasized the role of religious teachings, historical experience, and constitutional principles in the Leader’s decision-making. He described Iran’s foreign-policy process—from review in the Supreme National Security Council to implementation after the Leader’s approval—as an example of “multilayered, expert-driven policymaking.”