Mohsen Pak-Ayin, our former ambassador in Baku, stated that Iran currently has no desire to negotiate on the nuclear issue until the state of war and sanctions are clarified. He referred to the existing differences between Tehran and Washington, saying that the main challenge between the two sides is not just the principle of negotiation, but the order of actions and the path to reaching an agreement.
Diplomacy and Existing Challenges
Pak-Ayin noted in response to recent diplomatic movements between Iran and the United States that the approach of the upcoming U.S. elections has led to increased efforts by Donald Trump to show a willingness to end the war and choose a diplomatic path. He explained that Republicans are trying to convince the American people that they are not the cause of the war, which is why diplomatic proposals are being made. However, these proposals may change in a short period, and not every diplomatic statement from Trump can be interpreted as a fundamental shift in his approach.
Need for Practical Actions
This former diplomat emphasized the importance of turning political proposals into practical actions, stating: "If on one hand there is talk of negotiation and diplomacy, and on the other hand military and economic pressures continue, it is natural for the other side to doubt the seriousness of these proposals." Pak-Ayin referred to the increasing U.S. pressures on regional countries to participate in sanctions against Iran and added that Washington must actively seek a way to end the war to create the necessary conditions for serious and sustainable negotiations.
Changing the State of War as a Prerequisite for Nuclear Negotiations
Pak-Ayin further referred to the claim that the nuclear file is being raised alongside the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, stating: "The nuclear issue is separate from the issue of war, and the conditions for any understanding have changed after the war." In his opinion, the effort to quickly shift the discussion from the issue of war to the nuclear issue without resolving the main problem cannot create the necessary conditions for serious and sustainable negotiations. Therefore, as long as the state of war exists, the Islamic Republic of Iran has no intention to negotiate on the nuclear issue.
Electoral Movements and Diplomacy
In response to another question about the Camp David meeting and decision-making regarding Iran, Pak-Ayin stated that electoral goals are also involved. Republicans, due to losing their seats in Congress, need to adopt a different approach compared to Trump's hawkish stance. These movements are part of their efforts to attract votes in the upcoming elections and cannot be analyzed solely within the framework of foreign policy developments.
This former diplomat also referred to the energy price crisis in the U.S., stating that the rise in gasoline and diesel prices naturally has a negative impact on American society. Therefore, the U.S. government must seek ways to control costs and reduce tensions.
