Security Chief Asserts Iran’s Red Lines Are Firm; Outcome Hinges on US Conduct
Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, affirmed that the Islamic Republic has well-defined red lines in its indirect negotiations with the United States. He emphasized that the outcome of these talks is contingent upon the conduct of the United States.
Addressing senior commanders at a meeting of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in Tehran on Thursday, Ahmadian expressed uncertainty regarding the outcomes of the current negotiations with Washington.
He stated that while the content and results of the negotiations remain unpredictable, the established red lines are clear, with outcomes largely contingent on the behavior of the US and prevailing circumstances.
Iran and the United States have engaged in three rounds of negotiations mediated by Oman, aimed at finding a new framework to succeed the 2015 nuclear agreement. The fourth round of discussions, originally planned for May 3 in Rome, was delayed as a result of what Omani officials termed “technical and logistical” issues.
Participants have characterized the ongoing indirect discussions as largely productive, with the most recent round being particularly noted as a “constructive” engagement.
Ahmadian emphasized that while engaging in direct negotiations under duress and intimidation is both imprudent and lacking in honor, pursuing dialogue on equal footing, absent any threats or pressure, is both logical and respectable.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has consistently confirmed Tehran’s adherence to a peaceful nuclear policy. The agency has not identified any signs of deviation in this pursuit, as Iran’s nuclear activities have been subjected to the most comprehensive inspections ever conducted by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, surpassing those for any other member nation.
Washington and certain allies have at times called for the full dismantling of Iran’s nuclear energy program, especially highlighted during Trump’s comments on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Iran has unequivocally stated that both its domestic uranium enrichment program and the removal of U.S. sanctions are non-negotiable issues.
Iran has firmly dismissed the idea of expanding diplomatic negotiations to include topics beyond its nuclear program, such as its military capabilities and regional influence.
