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Final Signaling From Tehran

The April 11 edition of the Iran Media Review evaluates messaging from Iranian officials ahead of planned U.S.-Iranian negotiations.

Ali Alfoneh

As Iranian and U.S. delegations prepare to convene in Muscat, Oman for a new round of diplomatic engagement, Iran continues to deploy strategic signaling aimed at Washington. President Masoud Pezeshkian has publicly conveyed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei does not oppose U.S. foreign direct investment in Iran. Simultaneously, former Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani issued a warning via social media, underscoring potential retaliatory measures should the United States initiate hostilities.  

  • April 5: The reformist daily Shargh reported that Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Qalibaf and Deputy Speaker Hamid-Reza Haji-Babaei held a high-level consultation with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. During the meeting, the leadership reportedly reached a consensus on pursuing direct bilateral negotiations with the United States. Three senior political figures were identified to participate in the diplomatic track: former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, former Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, and a member of the Expediency Council, Mohammad Forouzandeh. According to Shargh, the inaugural round of direct talks is scheduled for early June.  
  • April 8: President Masoud Pezeshkian, quoted by the reformist Entekhab News, stated:  
    • “The supreme leader has absolutely no objection to American investments in the country, so they can bring their capital and invest it.”  
  • April 9: Ali Shamkhani, former SNSC secretary, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: 
    • “Continuation of external threats and a military attack may lead to deterrent initiatives, such as the expulsion of International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors and ceasing of cooperation with the organization. Enriched materials will be transferred to secure and undeclared locations in Iran.”  
  • April 9: SNSC outlet Nour News amplified Shamkhani’s message, stating:  
    • “If the rules of the game are violated, Iran too will no longer abide by the previous framework.” 
  • April 11: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated Tasnim News reported that both Iranian and U.S. negotiators are expected to arrive in Oman on April 12. Following a preparatory meeting with the Omani foreign minister, indirect talks are set to commence. The Iranian delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the U.S. team will be headed by Steve Witkoff, special envoy to the Middle East. This marks a renewed phase of diplomacy under Omani mediation.  
Ali Alfoneh

is a senior fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. He is the author of Political Succession in the Islamic Republic of Iran: Demise of the Clergy and the Rise of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (2020).

The views represented herein are the author’s or speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of AGSIW, its staff, or its board of directors.

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