Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has not yet received authorization from the higher authorities to begin talks with Washington, leading Iranian commentator Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh said this week.
On Tuesday, the former chairman of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee told local media on Tuesday that despite Pezeshkian’s public openness to engage in talks with the US, there is no sign that higher authorities have given their consent.
In Iran, the term "higher authority" when referring to the president typically means either Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei or the National Security Council, which is largely composed of Khamenei's appointees.
“Unless higher authorities grant permission for negotiations, occasional signals of openness toward the US will do little to protect the country’s interests,” Falahatpisheh said regarding Pezeshkian’s recent NBC interview.
The commentator noted that, despite Tehran being a high-priority issue for the new administration, President Donald Trump has yet to unveil his strategy for dealing with the country.
In recent weeks, numerous Iranian officials, media outlets, and commentators have begun advocating for talks as then-President elect Trump edged closer to returning to the White House. Iran's already dire economic situation has deteriorated further since September, sparking concerns in Tehran that Trump may intensify US sanctions, exacerbating pressure on the Islamic Republic.
It remains unclear whether President Trump will impose new sanctions, enhance the enforcement of existing ones, or pursue negotiations.
Falahatpisheh contended that it remains unclear whether Pezeshkian’s overtures toward Trump are aimed at influencing the US president or Iran’s national security council, which must approve any move to start negotiations.
