Iranians surprised by Witkoff's behavior, progress of US talks - New Arab

The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said Tuesday that the country's nuclear sites are protected against threats, just weeks after US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Iran if it did not agree to a new nuclear deal.

“Good measures have been considered, and effective steps have been taken to fortify them," Mohammad Eslami said, speaking at an event marking the anniversary of the establishment of Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC).

• 

  Iran nuclear chief says facilities safe in face of military threats

The Tasnim news agency reported that a video circulating online showed actor Mohsen Afshani seemingly making fun of the Saudi foreign minister through what appeared to be digitally altered content.

The timing of the broadcast, just a week after the Saudi defense minister's trip to Iran, drew widespread criticism online and in some media outlets, raising questions about potential efforts to undermine the improving bilateral relations and the government's foreign policy objectives, including ongoing talks with the United States.

While Nasim TV did not name the program in its statement, it acknowledged that "some political policy lines regarding neighboring countries were inadvertently disregarded" in a recorded satirical show.

The network assured the public that those responsible for the lapse would face disciplinary measures.

The Financial Times, citing analysts close to the Saudi leadership, reported last week that Saudi Arabia’s defense minister used a high-level visit to Tehran to signal Riyadh’s opposition to military confrontation with Iran.

“Saudi is clearly sending a message to Tehran that it will not be a conduit in any fashion towards an attack on Iran,” said Ali Shihabi, a Saudi commentator close to the royal court. “The kingdom supports President [Donald] Trump’s efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the nuclear crisis, and doesn’t want a war.”

Prince Khalid bin Salman’s visit took place just days before Iran resumed nuclear talks with the United States. Bin Salman is the highest-ranking Saudi royal to visit Iran in decades and includes the kingdom’s ambassador to Yemen.

Saudi and Iran only resumed diplomatic ties in 2023 after a seven-year hiatus following an attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran which drove a wedge between the two powers.

Iranian hardline cleric Ahmad Khatami, who previously denounced negotiations with the US as "humiliation," has now described such talks as a religious imperative.

Just weeks after vehemently rejecting any dialogue with Washington during a Friday prayer sermon in March, Khatami reversed his position, signaling a potential change in the hardline stance towards the ongoing talks.

Khatami's initial remarks characterized negotiations as an act of submission unacceptable to the Iranian people, contrasted sharply with his endorsement of talks.

"Accepting indirect negotiations with the US aligns with a Quranic verse stating that if the other side proposes talks, one should not refuse," he said.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is the world’s largest counter-terrorism organization and remains fully prepared to confront any threat, the force’s spokesman said on Tuesday.

“The IRGC, in full unity and coordination with other branches of the armed forces, will deliver a timely, firm, and regret-inducing response to any aggression or plot by the enemies,” Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini said.

Naeini added that the IRGC’s appeal, effectiveness, and popularity are the main reasons behind the hostility it faces.

“These capabilities have made the IRGC a target of conspiracies, sanctions, and smear campaigns—because it has never stopped and continues to grow its strength day by day,” he said.

US President Donald Trump designated the IRGC a terrorist organization in 2019. Canada followed suit but the European Union and the UK have so far held off on such a designation for the IRGC as a whole though they have designated individuals in the organization. None of the EU member states list it as a terrorist organization.

A member of Iran's parliament said that the path to improving the country's economic situation lies in successful diplomatic engagement, particularly in the ongoing talks with the United States.

Mostafa Pourdehqan spoke to Rouydad24 about the positive impact of the recent talks on economic indicators such as inflation and the exchange rate of the national currency, rial.

He argued that continued progress in negotiations would be crucial for sustained economic growth in Iran.

Pourdehqan urged a pragmatic approach to the talks, suggesting that Iran should be willing to move beyond past grievances if the other side respects its core principles.