State-appointed Iranian clerics expressed conflicting views in their Friday sermons about negotiations with the United States, just days before President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office.
Clerics delivering the political speeches on the weekly Islamic holy day are appointed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and reflect prevailing sentiment within the theocracy.
Tehran's interim Friday Prayer imam, Kazem Sedighi, spoke out against talks with Washington, dismissing the idea that Iran needs to reduce sanctions to address its current economic crisis.
Sedighi's remarks were in line with Iranian hardliners who continue to criticize the proponents of reconciliation with the West.
"To think that if the United States reconciles with us, our livelihood will prosper and our needs will be met goes against reason, experience, and the Holy Quran. God has not permitted a faithful community to live under the banner of disbelief," Sedighi said.
"Those who speak of reconciliation with the United States and trample on past experiences and the blood of martyrs should know that our people have sacrificed their blood and youth," he added.
Since Iran's regional military setbacks last year and the steep fall in the value of its currency, many officials and politicians loyal to the Islamic Republic have called for negotiations with the US, citing the need to transcend an economic crisis that has impoverished tens of millions of Iranians.
The Friday imam of Karaj, a city near Tehran, also criticized those who believe the promises of the "Enemy"—a term used by Iranian officials for the United States—but conceded that talks benefiting Iran could be permitted.
"Negotiations that safeguard national interests are acceptable as long as those interests are not compromised," Mohammad Mehdi Hamedani said, adding, "However, based on past experiences, if negotiations occur under conditions that fail to protect national interests, they will result in yet another outright loss."
Both clerics urged the public not to trust the US, arguing for the need to raise awareness about what they described as the duplicity of major powers and their empty promises. They urged the public not to trust non-state information and what they described as "propaganda by enemies."
Iranian officials have grown increasingly concerned about what they perceive as widespread ideological apathy among the Iranian population and a declining trust in the Islamic Republic, particularly following the 2022 nationwide anti-state protests.
Despite decades of strict media control and internet restrictions, Iranians continue to watch Persian-language satellite television channels broadcast from abroad and use circumvention tools to access uncensored information online.
On Thursday, I had a brief encounter with Trump’s pick for Secretary of State, Senator Marco Rubio, in the halls of the Senate Russell Building. When asked about the United States’ current sanctions on Iran, Rubio offered a succinct justification.
“If Iran didn’t flow money to terrorist groups, there would be no sanctions,” he said, stressing his belief that the Iranian regime prioritizes its geopolitical ambitions over the welfare of its citizens. “I see no evidence that the regime spends the money they generate for the people of Iran,” he added.
I also pressed Rubio on what an acceptable nuclear deal with Iran would look like. “We will discuss that once I’m confirmed,” he said, citing his pending confirmation as state secretary.
Senator Rubio’s comments suggest that the administration may be recalibrating its approach to diplomacy with Tehran, but the specifics remain tightly guarded.
Last week, Representative Michael Waltz highlighted the broader geopolitical stakes of Washington’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran. Waltz framed Iran’s influence as extending beyond the Middle East, impacting other theaters of global conflict.
“Maximum pressure, not only will it help stability in the Middle East, but it’ll help stability in the Russia-Ukraine theater as well, as Iran provides ballistic missiles and literally thousands and thousands of drones that are going into that theater,” he said.
These comments shed light on some key aspects of the Trump administration’s approach to Iran on three tiers:
1. Domestic
Rubio’s criticism of Tehran’s resource allocation underscores a broader narrative within US policy circles: that the Iranian government prioritizes its ideological and military goals over improving the lives of ordinary Iranians. This rhetoric not only justifies sanctions but also seeks to build moral justification for US policies.
2. Regional
Rubio’s remarks indicate that sanctions are unlikely to ease as long as Iran continues to support groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. The administration’s hardline stance suggests a belief that financial isolation could force Tehran to reconsider its regional agenda.
3. Global
Waltz’s comments highlight an emerging perspective that Iran’s activities are no longer confined to the Middle East. The administration appears to view Tehran as a destabilizing force in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, through its provision of drones and missiles. This framing links Iran policy to broader US strategic interests in Eastern Europe, potentially broadening the case for continued pressure.
And the nuclear question
Top on the Trump team’s list of priorities when it comes to Iran is, of course, the country’s nuclear program. Rubio’s reticence on the issue suggests that the administration may still be formulating its approach. While the specifics remain uncertain, any future negotiations would likely focus on verifiable limits to Iran’s nuclear capabilities, coupled with measures to curb its missile program and regional influence.
The Trump administration’s Iran strategy continues to evolve, but its broad contours reflect a commitment to economic pressure and containment. Comments from Rubio and Waltz signal a focus on curtailing Iran’s regional and global influence, tying these efforts to broader US interests.
As the administration moves forward, it remains to be seen how these priorities will translate into concrete policies, particularly on the nuclear front. For now, the Trump team is keeping their cards close to their chest.