SAEDNEWS: Saeed Jalili, a senior Iranian security official, likened renewed calls for negotiations to the biblical “Golden Calf” idol worship, emphasizing that Iran’s supreme leadership controls diplomatic decisions and criticizing dissent from within government institutions for threatening national unity.
According to Javan news agency, a virtual account attributed to Saeed Jalili, a member of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and the Expediency Discernment Council, has likened the recent talk of negotiations by some factions to the “Golden Calf worship” by the people of Moses.
The supreme leader has clearly defined the stance on negotiations: “The responsible institutions, thankfully, are actively working today — whether in the military domain or the diplomatic domain — both must perform their duties properly and with the right orientation, and both are necessary. No negotiations can proceed without the final permission of the leader.” The leader has neither succumbed to political pressures nor to the “renewed talk of negotiations” by some groups and will not do so.
While it may be necessary and even imperative for a journalist to critique and analyze the issue of negotiations (whether to accept or reject it), anyone holding security responsibilities must simply implement policies, not criticize them. They may join the ranks of critics, but not from within the three branches of government or the Supreme Councils.
The supreme leader has also set the tone for criticism related to the arena of negotiations and diplomacy (specifically for critics, not officials): “It is possible for someone to object to an official on issues related to the military or diplomacy or other matters; we do not say objections should not be voiced. However, first, the tone chosen to express such objections must be acceptable; secondly, it must be based on investigation and accurate information.” The leader uses journalists as an example here but advises officials to prioritize action and practice caution in statements that the foreign side could exploit.
Metaphors like the Golden Calf of Samiri and likening Iran to a pen (an enclosure) are neither appropriate tones nor fitting for those supposedly supporting negotiations. Such rhetoric disrupts the virtual space and serves as a prelude to divisive behaviors that threaten national cohesion.
