An Iranian newspaper has warned that inconsistent official messaging over the prospects of renewed talks with the United States is fueling public confusion and undermining trust, arguing that greater transparency would be more effective in managing expectations.
In an editorial published on Monday, the reform-leaning HamMihan newspaper said recent statements by senior Iranian officials had sent mixed signals about diplomacy, creating the impression of “uncertainty and waiting” both inside the government and across society.
The paper said officials repeatedly said that Iran’s strategic positions “are unchangeable,” while also signaling that “they do not want the possibility of positive news to be closed off.” According to HamMihan, this dual approach risks weakening the impact of important developments.
“This pattern of communication has the opposite result and leads to desensitization toward news,” the editorial said. “It makes people more distrustful and increases a sense of hopelessness. Being transparent and straightforward with public opinion has better effects.”
The newspaper highlighted a series of comments made by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other Iranian diplomats over the past week. HamMihan said that Araghchi initially said “there is currently no possibility” for negotiations because Iran sees “no positive or constructive approach from the United States.”
However, days later he was quoted as saying that “a request for negotiations has been revived because the military approach failed to achieve what was sought regarding Iran’s nuclear program.”
According to the editorial, such shifts create questions that officials have not answered. “If Iran has not changed its position, what changes has the Foreign Ministry seen in the other side that would make talks possible?” it asked, adding that it remained unclear whether the reference was to the United States or European governments.
HamMihan argued that public expectations had risen after earlier signs of potential diplomacy but were later dashed by a 12-day conflict that halted those efforts.
With little movement on domestic reforms and no clear pathway on foreign policy, the editorial said the Iranian public and the government are “waiting for news that goes beyond daily headlines.”
The paper wrote: “We would like these talks to begin – serious and result-oriented – but we are concerned that this manner of news reporting lacks sufficient grounding and will make society more disappointed.”
