President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that “communication and access levels” to Mojtaba Khamenei, the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, have increased. He also criticized IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting), accusing the state broadcaster of selectively airing only those portions of Khamenei’s remarks that focus on “refusing negotiations.”
Speaking on Tuesday, July 21, at a gathering of industrial, mining, and business leaders, Pezeshkian criticized what he called “unjust and unexpert opinions” regarding the negotiations, stating: “Certain inaccurate statements, made without considering various dimensions, end up downplaying achievements.”
He added that state television reflects only the parts of Mojtaba Khamenei’s statements that oppose talks, whereas, according to the president, the Supreme Leader emphasized in private meetings the necessity of ending the “neither war nor peace” state, which prompted the initiation of negotiations.
The president further stressed that all actions about the negotiations have been carried out in accordance with Mojtaba Khamenei’s “directives.”
These remarks come amid widespread domestic opposition inside Iran to negotiations with the United States and the recent memorandum of understanding.
