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One day after the regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei categorically rejected negotiations with the United States, top officials across the Iranian government reaffirmed their alignment with his directive, emphasizing that only discussions with European nations would continue. However, the immediate economic fallout of his remarks has exacerbated Iran’s financial crisis, with the Iranian rial plunging to an all-time low and gold prices skyrocketing.
Fatemeh Mohajerani, spokesperson for the Masoud Pezeshkian government, reinforced this position in a statement on February 8, stating: “The government’s strategy is to ensure a single, unified voice from Iran. Everyone understands that Iran will not engage in dishonorable negotiations.”
Khamenei, in his February 8 address to the regime’s Air Force commanders, dismissed any possibility of talks with the United States, saying: “Negotiation with America does not solve any problems. It is neither rational, nor intelligent, nor honorable.” His speech marked a stark departure from recent diplomatic maneuvering by Iranian officials who had previously signaled openness to indirect backchannel discussions.
#Khamenei Sends Zarif to #Davos in Desperate Attempt to Deflect Global Pressurehttps://t.co/OfLG3FKqPh
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 23, 2025
Parliament and Government Fall in Line
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf swiftly echoed Khamenei’s position, stating on February 8: “The Supreme Leader made our stance on negotiations crystal clear. I expect the government to fully implement his guidance.” Ghalibaf also cautioned against creating internal political rifts over the issue, urging officials not to frame the debate as a simplistic “negotiation: yes or no” binary.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also aligned himself with Khamenei’s directive, expressing skepticism about any potential dialogue with Washington. “There is no basis for fair negotiations with the United States. We have already negotiated in good faith, and upheld our commitments, and what did they do? They tore up the agreement,” he said, referencing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2018 withdrawal from the nuclear deal.
Meanwhile, President Massoud Pezeshkian publicly praised Khamenei’s speech, calling it “a beautiful and wise address.” However, his administration now faces mounting pressure to clarify its economic and diplomatic roadmap amid worsening financial turmoil.
#Khamenei Spins Narratives to Boost Low Morale Amid #Iran’s Mounting Criseshttps://t.co/zEOHf5dAQf
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 23, 2025
Economic Fallout
The Iranian economy is already feeling the shockwaves of Khamenei’s rejection of U.S. talks. On February 9, the U.S. dollar traded at an unprecedented 90,000 tomans in Iran’s free market—marking a new record low for the Iranian currency. Concurrently, gold prices soared, with the price of a new-design gold coin surpassing 74 million tomans, setting another historic high.
This economic volatility is a direct consequence of investor fears that Iran’s continued isolation will further restrict its access to global markets. The timing is particularly dire given the already precarious state of the Iranian economy, which has been crippled by international sanctions, mismanagement, and soaring inflation.
Despite Iran’s worsening domestic crisis, Khamenei doubled down on his defiant posture during a meeting with senior Hamas leaders on February 9, stating that “Washington’s threats have no impact on the mindset of Iranian officials.”
The latest policy shift has also drawn responses from Washington. A U.S. State Department spokesperson warned that if Tehran refuses negotiations, it will continue to face “maximum pressure” through economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
#Khamenei Targets U.S. in Speech to Mask #Iranian Regime’s Strategic Weaknesshttps://t.co/so3c1hhMdx
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 8, 2025
Political Tensions
While Khamenei’s anti-U.S. stance has been widely endorsed by extremist factions, it has also sparked renewed debate among rival factions. Some analysts argue that Khamenei’s shift represents a reversal of his previous, more ambiguous statements on diplomacy.
Hesamodin Ashna, a former advisor to ex-President Hassan Rouhani, suggested on social media that Khamenei’s words should not be seen as an absolute ban on talks, but rather a call for “intelligent and honorable negotiations.” His interpretation, however, was swiftly condemned by Khamenei’s media office as “a blatant distortion” of the Supreme Leader’s intent.
Additionally, former MP Akbar Alami pointed out inconsistencies in Tehran’s diplomatic history: “If Iran could negotiate with Saddam Hussein after his betrayal of the 1975 Algiers Agreement and even after his invasion, why is talking to Washington now deemed impossible?”
Meanwhile, calls for the regime’s president Pezeshkian’s resignation have begun circulating in some political circles. The IRGC-run Javan warned that “the government must immediately align with the Supreme Leader’s stance—anything less would be unacceptable.” Rumors of Pezeshkian’s potential resignation gained traction, prompting his media team to issue a denial, calling the speculation “wishful thinking by a few delusional minds.”
Despite official denials, frustration within the Pezeshkian administration is evident. Self-proclaimed “reformist” voices are increasingly pressuring the regime’s president to clarify his position, with some urging him to either “deliver on his promises or step down.”