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Khamenei on Iran-U.S. Talks: “Neither Excessively Optimistic, Nor Excessively Pessimistic”

The April 18 edition of the Iran Media Review considers Iranian responses to changes in Special Envoy to the Middle East Steven Witkoff’s public position on Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity.

Ali Alfoneh

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stays he is “neither excessively optimistic, nor excessively pessimistic” regarding Iran’s bilateral diplomatic engagement with the United States – an appropriate stance, given the latest recalibration in U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steven Witkoff’s position on Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity. 

  • April 15: In an address to senior representatives of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei downplayed the importance of bilateral diplomatic engagement with the United States but also signaled a conditional endorsement of the negotiations. According to the transcript on his official website, he stated: 
    • “These talks are just a fraction of the work of the Foreign Ministry, meaning the Foreign Ministry has tens of works, one of which is Oman and matters that have emerged recently. Try not to tie the problems of the state to these negotiations.” 
    • “Separately, let us be neither excessively optimistic, nor excessively pessimistic about these talks. This, after all, is an initiative, and there is progress. Decisions have been made and are now being executed. The initial moves are positive and are executed well. The work must continue with the greatest care. The red lines are well known to us and to the counterpart, and if they continue in a good way, the talks may or may not reach a result. We are neither excessively optimistic nor excessively pessimistic. Of course, we are deeply skeptical of the counter party and do not recognize them. We are familiar with the counterpart, but we are optimistic when it comes to our own capabilities. We know there are many things we can do.” 
  • April 16: Hard-line Kayhan criticized Special Envoy to the Middle East Steven Witkoff’s April 14 interview with Fox News in which he asserted that Iran does not “need to enrich past 3.67%. In some circumstances, they’re at 60%, in other circumstances 20%. That cannot be. And you do not need to run, as they claim, a civil nuclear program where you’re enriching past 3.67%. So, this is going to be much about verification on the enrichment program, and then ultimately, verification on weaponization. That includes missiles, the type of missiles that they have stockpiled there, and it includes the trigger for the bomb. And I think we are here to … solve this situation diplomatically and with dialogue.” Kayhan argued: 
    • “There is no doubt that the Islamic Republic of Iran has defined its red lines and declared on many occasions that it will not engage in negotiation about the missile program and the defense capabilities of the state. Tehran has solely agreed to talk within the framework of the nuclear issue.” 
    • “What is the meaning of this interview other than a negative pulse on the verge” of the second round of negotiations? 
  • April 16: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated Javan also condemned Witkoff’s Fox News interview: 
    • “Although the United States appears to have withdrawn some of its excessive demands, it seems to be opening new cases in order to increase pressure, which can create further tension in the diplomatic process.” 
    • “Iran has, on many occasions, declared that its missile program is purely defensive and not negotiable … The new U.S. approach to military containment of Iran may further complicate the negotiations.” 
    • Javan further suggested that Witkoff’s recent statements reflect “Israeli” rather than U.S. demands. 
  • April 16: Technocratic Sazandegi also covered the Witkoff interview but emphasized that the U.S. envoy did not call for a complete dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, a position previously articulated by U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz.  
  • April 16: Reformist Entekhab News cited an Axios report on an April 15 meeting held in the White House Situation Room regarding the status of diplomatic engagement with Iran.  
  • April 16: Tabnak News Agency, which is affiliated with former IRGC Chief Commander Mohsen Rezaei, highlighted inconsistencies between Witkoff’s April 14 televised remarks – in which he appeared to accept limited uranium enrichment by Iran – and his April 15 post on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which he wrote: “Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program.”  
    • Tabnak’s analyst argued that the change in Witkoff’s position “may reflect pressure from the hard-line faction within the White House … and intra-administrative conflict over Iran’s nuclear dossier in the Trump administration … However, the change may also be deliberate. Trump’s approach to negotiations is one characterized by strategic ambiguity and constant recalibration of position.” 
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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