This article was last updated on May 25, 2022
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‘Iran has no bargaining power’
Iran’s Supreme Leader must open the way for greater political freedoms before any negotiation with the United States, say a group of veteran dissidents.
In a letter to Ali Khamenei, six members of the political faction known as the Patriotic-Religious group expressed their deep reservations about the prospect of possible negotiations between Iran and the US, warning that such talks would harm Iranian national interests.
In late October 2012, Iranian media outlets reported on clandestine talks between Ali Akbar Velayati, former Iranian Foreign Minister and close advisor to Khamenei on international affairs, and US officials. The story has been denied by Tehran and Washington as well as Velayati himself.
“Statements made by those close to the [political] establishment suggest that the issue of negotiations with the United States is not a taboo subject anymore; perhaps they are preparing [Iranian] public opinion in order to pave the way for these negotiations to take place,” the activists write.
The signatories to the letter are Mohammad Bastehnegar, Nezameddin Ghahari, Habibollah Peyman, Hossein Shah-hosseini, Ahmad Sadr Haj-Seyyed-Javadi and Azam Taleghani.
They argue that owing to the grim state of Iran’s economy, its isolation on the international stage, the crisis of legitimacy within the Iranian regime following the 2009 unrest, and the deteriorating human rights record, any future negotiations between the two countries will inevitably result in significant concessions being made by the Iranian side.
The letter maintains that the Obama administration has successfully cornered Iran using international sanctions against the country. “Iran’s strategic ally, Syria, is engulfed in a civil war and Bashar Assad is on a downhill slope” and “the neighbouring countries south of the Persian Gulf are openly and secretly opposing Iran,” it continues.
Under such conditions, they maintain, opening up the Iranian polity is the only option that will help preserve Iran’s national interests.
“We see the continuation of the status quo as extremely dangerous and are deeply concerned,” the letter adds. “Under the status quo, Iran does not have bargaining power and is in a weak position. Iran must turn this weakness to strength and only then should it enter direct, transparent and win-win negotiations.”
“Do not give concessions to the West, but instead give the Iranian people their rights. As the post-World War II period shows, democracy in developing countries is a threat to America and the West. America is not fearful of anything but a true democracy in Iran.”
The activists call on Khamenei to,
1. postpone any negotiation with the US until after free and sound presidential elections are held in Iran in June 2013.
2. suspend all uranium enrichment despite Iran’s “inalienable” right to carry out enrichment and reach a settlement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
3. release all activists and journalists arrested following the rigged 2009 presidential election.
4. prepare the grounds for a “democratic atmosphere” and “national reconciliation,” and allow political parties and civil society to operate freely.
5. begin a “creative” cooperation with the US, which enjoys the backing of the Iranian people and can protect national interests.
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