Persian Gulf states name Iran assaults 'existential menace' as UN backs reparations push

[ad_1] The controversy intensified after stories by Israel’s Channel 11 and Politico advised that Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf could possibly be the “pragmatic companion” doubtlessly partaking with the Trump administration.

In keeping with the Politico report, “at the least some White Home officers see him as somebody who could lead on Iran and negotiate in a subsequent part of battle with the Trump administration.” Nevertheless, the report added that the White Home “isn't but able to guess on a single determine” and is exploring a number of choices.

The mere suggestion {that a} sitting Iranian parliament speaker could possibly be engaged—formally or informally—with Washington carries vital implications inside Iran’s political system, the place any notion of unbiased diplomatic outreach can set off backlash, significantly in periods of heightened pressure.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC)-linked media shops have strongly rejected claims of secret negotiations.

Fars Information Company described the stories as a “psychological operation,” asserting that the narrative was designed with three targets: “character assassination of Ghalibaf, incitement towards potential bodily focusing on, and sowing division within the nation.”

Equally, Tasnim Information Company known as the stories a “advanced enemy design to create the notion of inside pressure,” arguing that it aimed to distract political forces from the continuing battle.

Even political figures outdoors Ghalibaf’s instant camp have echoed considerations about psychological warfare.

Mohammad-Javad Azari-Jahromi, telecommunications minister beneath President Hassan Rouhani, wrote on X that Trump’s contradictory statements—and media ideas that Ghalibaf could possibly be conducting secret talks—are meant to “create division inside the authorities and amongst navy forces.”

Hesameddin Ashena, a former media adviser to Rouhani, additionally warned of “character assassination,” describing the amplification of such claims as successfully “aligning with the enemy.”

Iranian officers have acknowledged oblique communications with Washington by way of intermediaries. International Minister Abbas Araghchi and spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated international locations comparable to Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan have been exchanging messages between the 2 sides in current days in an effort to cut back tensions.

On the identical time, Iranian officers harassed that Tehran’s core positions stay unchanged.

These embrace its stance on the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a place that has contributed to escalating rhetoric, together with reported threats by Trump to focus on Iran’s power infrastructure and impose a brief deadline.

An Iranian official instructed Al Jazeera that Washington has thus far refused to fulfill Tehran’s key situations for negotiations: “cost of battle reparations and acknowledgment of aggression towards Iranian territory.”

In the meantime, stories from Reuters and The Wall Avenue Journal counsel that potential talks to finish the battle might happen in Pakistan or Turkey, presumably involving figures comparable to Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Vice President J. D. Vance within the coming days.

Regardless of official denials, the problem has gained traction on social media—significantly amongst Iranians overseas, given extreme web restrictions inside Iran because the battle started.

Hundreds of responses to Ghalibaf’s denial of secret talks with Washington on X framed the problem when it comes to suspicion and alleged betrayal.

Some customers pointed to his absence from sure current public occasions, whereas others famous that his identify had not appeared in US bounty lists focusing on Iranian officers, deciphering this as suspicious although with out proof.

Others revived longstanding allegations of monetary corruption and nepotism raised by hardline factions such because the Paydari Entrance and supporters of Saeed Jalili—claims which have circulated in Iran’s political rivalries for years.