Iran International
Hardliners in Tehran have grown more vocal in their opposition to renewed diplomacy with Washington following Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s defiant speech this week.
“The United States is in no position to determine what countries should or should not possess nuclear capabilities,” Khamenei said, adding that Iran’s missiles “remain ready to be used again if necessary.”
That tone has quickly been amplified across Iran’s hardline media.
Key hardline outlets—including state television (IRIB), Kayhan closely aligned with Khamenei’s office, Javan linked to the Revolutionary Guards and the ultraconservative Vatan-e Emrooz—have echoed the message that rapprochement with Washington is no longer on the table.
IRIB continues to attack any suggestion that dialogue with the United States could help resolve Iran’s foreign policy or economic challenges.
Its flagship Channel 2 news bulletin, known for ties to the intelligence community, has intensified messaging around “the weakening of US global hegemony” and the rise of powers such as China, Russia, India, and Iran.
'America is gone!'
Javan on Thursday sharply rebuked foreign minister Abbas Araghchi for what it called “ambivalent attitudes” toward the US, accusing him of creating false expectations about a possible thaw in relations.
“Iranian markets react to even the slightest hint of rapprochement,” the daily wrote in an editorial, torching Tehran’s top diplomat for showing readiness to engage if Washington abandoned its “excessive demands” and hinting at indirect contact through US negotiator Steve Witkoff.
“This keeps Iran suspended, waiting for America to reach out,” Javan wrote. “We must forget about friendship with the United States… America is gone!”
Kayhan echoed the sentiment in an editorial titled “Indulge in Your Imagination,” quoting Khamenei’s retort to former US President Donald Trump’s claims about ending Iran’s nuclear program.
“Bombing a center or assassinating a scientist is like cutting one branch of a tree whose roots run throughout Iran,” the paper wrote, asserting that Iran’s nuclear capabilities are scattered wide and deep—across more than 20 universities, 70 research centers, and 1,500 senior experts.
Gearing up?
Vatan-e Emrooz ran a similar headline in English, as if addressing Trump.
“OK. In Your Dreams!” the daily declared, adding that Tehran’s nemesis “has reached the end of its strategy to contain Iran.”
Both papers emphasized that Khamenei’s remarks were not rhetorical flourishes but strategic declarations.
The consistency across IRIB, Javan, Kayhan, and Vatan-e Emrooz suggests a coordinated media campaign to amplify Khamenei’s message: that the Islamic Republic is not entertaining the idea of renewed diplomacy and is readying for more confrontation.
Iran faces stark economic and geopolitical challenges as a lingering impasse over its nuclear program led to the resumption of European-triggered international sanctions last month.
Western countries have called for Tehran to engage in renewed diplomacy with Washington and restored access to international nuclear inspectors.
Speaking at a seminar on “resistance diplomacy” at Ferdowsi University in Mashhad, Esmail Baghaei said: “We must use all tools to protect the country’s rights -- whether through missiles or diplomacy and negotiation.”
“The concept of resistance has now evolved and taken the form of resilience,” he said, adding that that Iran’s approach combines self-reliance with international engagement.
His comments appeared to strike a relatively moderate tone, two days after Iran's ultimate decision-maker Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appeared to reject a peace overture by President Trump and deployed sharp language at his nemesis.
The 86-year-old veteran ruler called Trump's repeated assertions that US attacks on June 22 had obliterated Iran's nuclear program "nonsense" and in a rare direct address to a US President told him to "keep dreaming."
Khamenei appeared to rule out renewed talks, calling reported US demands for curbs to Iranian missile ranges and Tehran's support for regional armed groups bullying and a
Baghaei said Iran faces powerful adversaries but remains capable of shaping developments within the international system.
“Our opponents invoke international law to justify their actions, so we must also rely on the same law to prove our rights,” he said. “Resistance diplomacy must be seen as an active instrument to secure national interests.”
He defended Tehran’s stance in the wake of the UN sanctions snapback mechanism, saying that Western powers had expected immediate compliance but were surprised by global resistance to reimposing restrictions.
Support for regional groups
Addressing Iran’s backing of allied groups in the region, Baghaei rejected the notion that Tehran created “proxy” groups.
“We did not create them,” he said. “The issues of Palestine and Lebanon did not begin in 1979 (when the Islamic Republic was established). These movements existed long before, and we have supported them based on our constitutional and strategic principles.”
Baghaei added that Iran’s support is “based on a defined framework” and that “to prevent harm, we must build allies within the international system.”
He said the resilience of such movements is enduring despite repeated attempts to weaken them.
“After two years, those who claimed resistance was finished end up sitting at the same table with them,” he said. “The foundations of resistance are deeply rooted and cannot be easily destroyed.”
On diplomacy and international law
Baghaei also defended Iran’s record on diplomacy, citing past cooperation with global institutions and negotiations with Washington.
He recalled that after the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran “remained committed for months” before gradually reducing compliance.
He also noted that indirect talks with the United States had taken place under both Trump and Biden but collapsed due to continued sanctions and regional tensions.
“When one side plans an attack and then invites you to a meeting, how can you attend such a session?” he said, referring to recent incidents.
Abbas Araghchi told reporters in the northeastern city of Mashhad that Iran remained committed to diplomacy but would not compromise on its national rights.
He said five rounds of indirect talks with Washington had taken place before the 12-day conflict in June that saw US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and that subsequent discussions on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly also failed due to US demands.
“This year, after five rounds of negotiations, the United States joined Israel’s military attack against Iran. Later, in New York, there was also an opportunity for a reasonable, mutually beneficial agreement -- but once again, the talks failed because of America’s excessive demands,” he said.
He added, “As long as the Americans persist in their policy of overreach and continue to make unreasonable demands, we will not return to the negotiating table.”
“Iran has always shown that it believes in peace and diplomacy,” Araghchi emphasized. “Wherever the country’s interests can be secured through dialogue, we will not hesitate to act. But the other side has repeatedly proven it does not adhere to diplomacy.”
The comments came as Araghchi arrived in Mashhad to attend a two-day regional diplomacy conference alongside senior Iranian officials, business leaders, and ambassadors to neighboring and Asian countries.
Earlier in the day, the foreign ministry spokesperson said Iran must rely on both its missile capabilities and diplomacy to safeguard national interests.
Speaking earlier in the day in the same city, Esmail Baghaei said: “We must use all tools to protect the country’s rights -- whether through missiles or diplomacy and negotiation.”
The collapse of the talks followed months of rising tension over Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, compounded by the reimposition of UN sanctions under the 2015 nuclear deal’s snapback mechanism.
