Iranian hardliners are actively campaigning against a potential deal with the U.S. by appealing to nationalistic sentiments, overshadowing the efforts of diplomats. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, a key negotiator, stated that an agreement "has never been closer" but noted significant internal opposition. Public demonstrations in Mashhad and Tehran have seen protesters chanting slogans such as "death to the compromiser" and "Araghchi have some shame, let go of America," directly criticizing negotiators and perceived concessions.
This backlash is not confined to street protests; it is also amplified by hardline figures within Iran's Parliament, including Mahmoud Nabavian from the ultra-conservative Paydari Front. Nabavian has publicly attacked parts of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), expressing concerns about Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz and the clarity of U.S. military withdrawal commitments. Hardliners fear that the agreement leaves too many issues unresolved while sacrificing leverage and shifting the national narrative from defiance to compromise.
The growing influence of nationalism reflects a broader trend observed in Iran, where Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has demonstrated a significant shift from religious authority to pre-revolutionary nationalistic themes. His speeches have increasingly emphasized "the nation" and "Iran," even using pre-Islamic greetings and praising ancient Iranian civilization. This nationalist turn, as indicated by Khamenei's past rhetoric and public displays, suggests that future nuclear decisions might prioritize national defense over previous religious edicts, potentially leading to an acceleration of the nuclear program. This shift makes it crucial for the U.S. to approach Iran with a Persian nationalist mindset rather than focusing solely on its Islamic identity. Overall, hardliners are exploiting national pride to resist diplomatic overtures and maintain an confrontational stance, seeing negotiations as an existential threat to their power and ideology.
