Donald Trump wants to be king, not president, says Iranian official

"October 7 was meant to stop normalization," Senator Lindsey Graham said, referring to a 2023 attack by Iran-backed Hamas militants on Israel which triggered a 15-month war.

"Iran's worst nightmare was Arabs and Israelis' reconciliation and solving the Palestinian problem in perpetuity."

The South Carolina Republican said that just before the attacks, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was enthusiastic about an imminent breakthrough in normalization efforts.

Graham added the United States would soon have to choose between military action and negotiations, with his preference being to "help Israel deliver a decisive blow against Iran nuclear infrastructure."

On Trump's mooted desire for a deal with Iran over its disputed nuclear program, Graham suggested a "Libyan model" involving setting clear goals and timelines, and if talks fail, providing Israel with the capabilities to strike Iran's nuclear program.

Libya agreed to shutter a weapons program criticized by Western powers but veteran leader Muammar Qadaffi was still overthrown and killed in a US and European-backed rebel uprising in 2011.

Iran should 'pay hell'

Senator Richard Blumenthal referred to Iran's regional setbacks, saying Israel had broken what he called Iran's axis through successes against Hezbollah and Hamas, along with the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

Referring to the Israeli hostages held by Hamas, the Connecticut Democrat said, "Iran ought to be the one to pay hell because, ultimately, they are responsible … They are the head of the snake.”

Senator Joni Ernst warned, "Iran, listen very clearly. We will put maximum pressure on you and work with our Israeli partners to make sure you do not succeed economically, militarily or politically in this region.

"There is no daylight between Israel and the USA,” the Iowa Republican added.

The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post reported last week citing US intelligence assessments from last month that Israel saw an opening for an attack on Iranian nuclear sites as early as the first of this year.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump signed a directive restoring the so-called maximum pressure policy of his first term and warned of "catastrophic" consequences if Tehran does not make a deal on its nuclear program.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Washington's maximum pressure campaign and mooting of military force will not force Iran to negotiate about its nuclear program.

The rial has depreciated by approximately 50% against the US dollar since September, a sharp decline that is expected to further drive up Iran’s already high inflation by increasing the cost of both domestic production and imports.

Iran’s hardliner-dominated parliament (Majles) appears determined to impeach Economy Minister Abdolnasser Hemmati and push Pezeshkian to dismiss Central Bank Governor Alireza Farzin. Energy Minister Aliabadi is also on the impeachment list, facing scrutiny over his ministry’s failure to secure adequate fuel for power plants during the winter months.

Amid Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s repeated calls for unity within the government and his criticism of discord between the president and parliament, lawmakers held a closed-door meeting on Tuesday to brief Pezeshkian on the rial’s depreciation—despite the president already being well aware of the deeper causes of Iran’s chronic economic crisis.

“The Majles has vowed to hasten Hemmati’s impeachment if he and Pezeshkian fail to convince parliament that they are taking effective action to address the crisis and improve people’s livelihoods,” Iranian media quoted parliamentary officials as saying on Monday.

Media outlets in Tehran, including Khabar Online, reported that while the primary reasons for the motions against Aliabadi and Farzin are power shortages and rising exchange rates, respectively, some in parliament may also be pushing for their removal due to their ties to former President Ebrahim Raisi’s administration.

Pezeshkian has faced repeated criticism from the media for reinstating officials from the previous government. Given this, it is easy to conclude that he might not oppose their dismissal, as it could help project the appearance of the much-sought "change" in his administration.

However, Hemmati presents a different challenge. His outspoken approach, as demonstrated in the past, has the potential to create problems for both parliament and the president. During Raisi’s three-year tenure, he frequently criticized the government's economic performance, making him a persistent and vocal opponent.

Analysts and commentators in Iran have long argued that chronic inflation and declining economic indicators stem from US sanctions imposed since 2018 and the state-controlled nature of the economy. While officials occasionally attribute economic hardships to sanctions, they more often emphasize Iran’s ability to circumvent them through innovative measures. Less frequently discussed, however, is the country’s unique and intertwined political-economic system, which fosters monopolies and enables corruption among insiders.

Regarding Aliabadi’s case, Pezeshkian has acknowledged that he himself bears responsibility for the fuel and power shortages, admitting to mistakes in assessing the issue.

Hemmati, meanwhile, has partly attributed the rial’s decline to "regional developments." However, according to Khabar Online, most Iranian media outlets place the blame on Pezeshkian and his appointment of ultraconservatives to key positions as the main drivers of the country’s financial and energy crises.

The Rouydad24 website has noted that Trump's return to power has intensified Iran’s economic crisis. It reported that his renewed threats of "maximum pressure" on Tehran have contributed to rising exchange rates and soaring gold prices in the Iranian market.

Fathollah Tavassoli, a member of the Majles economic committee, insisted that "those pushing for Hemmati’s impeachment are independent MPs" and that the move is not driven by political or factional motives. However, another lawmaker, Mohammad Mehdi Shahryari, countered that "hardliners are pressuring independent MPs to support the impeachment motion."

So far, 89 lawmakers out of 290 have signed the motion—far exceeding the 10 signatures required for the Majles presidium to proceed with impeachment.

Peskov added that Russia is ready to assist Iran in addressing issues related to its nuclear program.

"Moscow attaches great importance to good relations with Iran and intends to develop them comprehensively, including providing assistance in solving the main problems, including the nuclear program," he said.

Last week, Russia's envoy in Tehran said that Western countries are trying to marginalize Russia and China in discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program.

"Without Russia and China, such negotiations will never achieve their goal and will not be productive," Alexey Dedov said in an interview with RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

Russia remains a critical partner in Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, spearheading projects such as the expansion of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.

Tehran's political establishment is divided over the country's relationships with Russia and China. While some prioritize the economic benefits of trade with both nations, others, particularly the Reformist faction, express concern about Moscow potentially exploiting US-Iranian tensions.

Reformist politician Mahmoud Mirlohi, in an interview with the Didban Iran website, argued that Iran must maintain an independent foreign policy. He emphasized leveraging ties with Russia and China as a means to improve relations with the United States, warning, "We should not allow Russia to use Iran as a pawn in its dealings with the United States."

Mirlohi also expressed concern about the repercussions of Iran's military support for Russia in the Ukraine war, calling it "a serious cause for concern" and stressing that cooperation with Russia should not jeopardize relations with other countries.

The war in Ukraine has directly impacted the stalled negotiations to revive the 2015 JCPOA nuclear agreement, of which Russia is a signatory. These talks, which had been ongoing in Vienna for 12 months under the Biden administration, were abruptly halted in March 2022 following the Russian invasion.

Iran and Russia earlier this year signed a major treaty aimed at deepening bilateral ties. However, this agreement stopped short of establishing a formal military alliance or imposing binding obligations on either side, suggesting a cautious approach to solidifying their relationship.

Who leads the Paydari Party?

Since its official registration with the Interior Ministry in October 2020, the Paydari Party has been led by Sadegh Mahsouli.

Yet, Mahsouli—a former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officer and business tycoon—rarely makes public statements or represents the party in the media. He previously served in Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s administration, first as Minister of Interior and later as Minister of Welfare and Social Security.

The party’s Central Council Chairman, Morteza Agha-Tehrani, is a mid-ranking cleric (Hojjat ol-Eslam) who has been a lawmaker multiple times since 2008. A former close associate of Ahmadinejad, Agha-Tehrani was once appointed as the president’s “ethics advisor.” Currently, he chairs the Parliament’s Cultural Committee and has played a key role in pushing controversial hardline bills, including the Hijab and Chastity Law.

What are the party’s origins?

The Paydari Party traces its roots to the Islamic Revolution’s Paydari Front, an electoral alliance formed ahead of the 2012 parliamentary elections. It emerged as a hardline faction that split from Ahmadinejad’s camp after his power struggle with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei over the dismissal of intelligence minister Heydar Moslehi.

After Ahmadinejad refused to acknowledge Khamenei’s reinstatement of Moslehi, his once-loyal allies who later formed the Paydari Party turned against him, branding him and his inner circle as “the deviant current.”

What does the Paydari Party stand for?

The Paydari Party and its affiliates promote a radical, apocalyptic interpretation of Shiism, centering on the belief in the Mahdi, the Twelfth Imam. According to their doctrine, this messianic figure—believed to have been in occultation since 941 CE—will eventually reappear to rid the world of sin and corruption.

The party and its allies maintain very close ties with Ayatollah Mohammad-Mehdi Mirbagheri, a highly controversial cleric widely regarded as the successor to the late Ayatollah Mohammad-Taghi Mesbah-Yazdi.

Mesbah-Yazdi, often considered the spiritual father of the Islamic Republic's ultraconservatives, was held in very high esteem by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Politically, the party is staunchly opposed to:

• Any nuclear agreement with world powers
• Diplomatic engagement with the United States and other Western countries
• Iran’s accession to Financial Action Task Force (FATF) anti-money laundering conventions
• Lifting of internet restrictions and censorship
• Leniency in the enforcement of hijab rules

Despite its hardline ideology, the Paydari Party has successfully expanded its grip on Iranian politics, shaping policies that increasingly isolate Iran on the international stage while tightening domestic repression.

How powerful is the Paydari Party?

In the current Parliament (inaugurated May 27, 2024), the Paydari Party and its allies—including the Iran Morning Front (Jebhe-ye Sobh-e Iran), led by ultra-hardliner Ali-Akbar Raefipour—form one of the three dominant factions.

The party frequently clashes with other conservatives aligned with Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, as well as the much smaller faction of “independent” and “reformist” lawmakers who were permitted to run for office by the Guardian Council.

The March 2024 parliamentary elections, along with the May runoffs, saw historically low voter turnout amid widespread public and political boycotts following the 2022–2023 Women, Life, Freedom protests. The Guardian Council faced accusations of mass disqualifications—including some conservatives—allegedly to pave the way for Paydari-backed candidates.

In Tehran, for example, Mahmoud Nabavian, a Paydari candidate, secured the first place with less than six percent of eligible votes.

The party also backed former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili in the June 2024 snap presidential elections, another vote marked by boycotts and low turnout. Jalili ultimately lost to Masoud Pezeshkian, winning 44.3 percent of the vote in the runoff.

The party currently wields great influence in many state organizations including the state broadcasting organization, the IRIB. Vahid Jalili, Saeed Jalili’s brother, is the cultural deputy of IRIB.

CNN reported on Sunday that Riyadh is open to brokering discussions between the US and Iran to curb Tehran’s nuclear program.

The kingdom is concerned, the US network reported, that Iran might pursue nuclear weapons more aggressively after Israel battered regional allies which had acted as Iran's deterrent to a direct Israeli attack for decades.

Asked about the CNN report at his weekly press briefing Monday, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei denied any knowledge and said these were only “media speculations.”

An article titled "Will Saudi Arabia Mediate Iran-US Negotiations?" published by Nour News on Monday outlined key obstacles to Saudi mediation. It highlighted Iran's deep mistrust of the US, shaped by the policies of former President Donald Trump, who withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal. The article also pointed to conflicting Iranian and Saudi interests in regional matters, including Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria, as additional challenges to mediation efforts.

Iranian authorities are “seeking strong guarantees of reduction of sanctions before entering new talks,” the media outlet close to former Iranian national security chief Ali Shamkhani, wrote.

Despite these challenges, Nour News acknowledged the potential for reduced tensions and even a new agreement if Saudi Arabia facilitates balanced, pressure-free negotiations.

Foreign affairs expert Ali Bigdeli, speaking to Nameh News on Sunday, noted that Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic influence had grown, citing an upcoming US-Russia meeting in Riyadh as evidence. He suggested Iran might view Saudi mediation positively. “Mr. Araghchi’s visit to Oman may not be unrelated to this matter,” he added.

Bigdeli also argued that Saudi mediation would differ significantly from that of Qatar, given Saudi Arabia’s dominant role in the Persian Gulf.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei repeatedly asserted in the past that the Islamic Republic would never engage in negotiations with the Trump administration. He also notably declined to respond to a message from Trump, delivered by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in June 2019.

In a speech on February 7, after Trump issued an executive order to reinstate his “maximum pressure” sanctions on Iran, Khamenei emphatically rejected talks with the United States.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Riyadh on Monday ahead of planned talks between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, to be hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While Iran’s nuclear program may be discussed, no official announcements have been made.

On Sunday, US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said President Donald Trump is willing to engage in talks with Iran only on condition that Tehran fully abandon its nuclear program.

"The President has also expressed a willingness to take whatever action is necessary. All options are on the table," Waltz told Fox News on Sunday, leaving the option of diplomatic channels open.

Oman acted as a mediator between Iran and the United States before the talks that led to the 2015 nuclear deal, and Qatar has recently offered to mediate new talks.

Speculation has risen that this topic may feature in the upcoming visit of Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Tehran. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei denied these claims during his weekly briefing on Monday.

Iran and Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic ties in 2023, facilitated by Iraq and China. The Saudi Embassy in Tehran reopened in August of that year, seven years after vigilantes attacked and torched the building in protest to the execution of dissident Shia cleric Nimr Baqir al-Nimr in Saudi Arabia.