Between diplomacy and military deterrence.. Iran awaits the American position
Amman4 min read
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Iran clings to the path of negotiation with the United States, but it conditions any progress on Washington's response to its demands, while at the same time increasing its military readiness and threatening to expand the scope of its response, up to the point of proactively targeting any hostile move before it occurs.
Iranian statements summarize this approach by adhering to both defense and diplomacy, as Tehran awaits the American administration's response to the message it received from US Vice President J.D. Vance after sending its reply, while asserting that the ball is now in Washington's court.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that negotiations with the Qatari mediator are witnessing progress but have not reached a final conclusion, noting that there are no plans to hold a meeting with the American side during the Iranian delegation's visit to Doha.
Araghchi expressed his hope that the American side will act rationally, confirming that achieving tangible results depends on the response Tehran will receive from the American administration.
Iranian conditions before negotiations
During a meeting of the National Security Committee in Parliament, Araghchi reiterated his country's adherence to its conditions before moving to negotiating steps, primarily the lifting of the naval blockade on Iranian ports, allowing oil exports, and accepting the maritime corridors drawn by Iran and the Sultanate of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian conditions also include declaring a ceasefire on all fronts and unfreezing Iranian funds, in a stance that reflects Tehran's insistence on having its demands met in advance, in light of its lack of trust in the United States.
Iran is linking the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the start of nuclear file negotiations to the response to these demands, while contacts with the Qatari mediator have seen the proposed timeline for implementing the measures reduced from five or seven days to two days.
Military readiness and threats of preemptive targeting
On the military front, Iranian Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, during a meeting with army commanders, directed the doubling of weapons and ammunition production and the expansion of the target bank and its geographical scope, exceeding what it was during the previous war, stressing the need for a rapid and effective response to any threat.
This approach reflects a shift in Iranian military doctrine, from responding in kind and skirmishes to expanding the scope of confrontation, as the Iranian leadership asserts that Tehran will determine the end of any war waged against it.
In a notable escalation, the Iranian Chief of Staff announced his country's readiness to initiate preemptive targeting without delay upon detecting any hostile act against it, coinciding with statements by the Minister of Defense and the Revolutionary Guard regarding raising combat readiness.
Iranian Defense Minister Mehrdad Akhlaghi said that his country is accelerating the improvement of its combat capabilities to respond without geographical restrictions if it is subjected to a new American-Israeli attack.
Economic pressures and adherence to principles
While the Iranian leadership acknowledges the existence of living difficulties and an economic crisis facing citizens as a result of the war and the blockade, it emphasizes its refusal to relinquish its rights and national constants under the weight of pressure.
Iranian officials maintain their rejection of the American endeavor that pushes for starting negotiations on the nuclear file and postponing other issues to a later stage, while Tehran insists on fulfilling its conditions before moving to negotiation.
In contrast, American statements containing threats against Iran continue; US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that American forces have destroyed Iranian nuclear capabilities, noting that one or two sites still need to be dealt with, including the Jabal al-Fas site.
While Tehran keeps the door open to the diplomatic path, it continues to increase its military readiness and expand its response options in an attempt to impose its negotiating conditions and prevent any new American or Israeli attack.
