Iran’s Security Chief on US Talks: ‘Negotiation Cannot Be a Pretext for War

In an interview with a Lebanese network, Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said: “Negotiations are tactical. There are two ways to negotiate. Sometimes a country realizes that war is pointless and decides to negotiate to resolve the issue. This type of negotiation is effective. But sometimes, a country uses negotiation as a pretext for the next war, and that is deceitful.”

According to Saed News citing ISNA, he emphasized: “Therefore, the US must clarify its stance first because, while talking about negotiation, it is also talking about war. This means that apparently, the US still hasn’t understood. If the US ever realizes that war with Iran has no benefit and will harm itself, Iran will not collapse from war. The Iranian Revolution is deeply rooted. It is not like a coup in a country such as Libya; it is a country with deep popular foundations.”

Larijani added: “Seventy-seven percent of Iranians participated in the revolution. It is a deeply rooted revolution. If they understand that military operations cannot defeat Iran because the Iranian people support it, they can negotiate. In that case, Iran never rejects negotiations. But if they intend to use negotiation as a tool for future war, it has no value.”

Regarding the possibility of direct talks with the US, Larijani said: “This must be approached step by step to see how sincere they are. Is the US acting honestly in Lebanon and considering the interests of Lebanon or Iraq? As long as the US believes that peace can be imposed through power, it means either surrender or war. Negotiation is pointless here. The US theory is unlikely to succeed anywhere else unless a country surrenders, as in Syria, and you see the result. But countries with legitimacy and strength do not submit. During the war, Trump said Iran must surrender, and the leadership rebuked him.”

He stressed: “Iran has never surrendered. Therefore, it is crucial to see the situation correctly. Some think negotiation solves everything. Negotiation is useful only when both parties accept that issues cannot be solved through war. If that happens, progress can be made. But if the other side believes it can act through force—surrender or fight—nothing will come of that negotiation unless their theory changes.”