Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that a near-final agreement with the United States was within reach in the spring of 2021, but was ultimately derailed by hardliners’ opposition seeking to undermine his administration.
During a meeting on Monday, Rouhani urged the current government to make the best use of the present opportunity for negotiations with the US, emphasizing the importance of preventing war.
"We must make the most of this window for negotiations. Our fundamental duty is to prevent war, not because we are afraid of it, but because war benefits no one – not the United States, not Iran, and not the region... We must not give Trump any excuse, nor let Netanyahu take advantage of the current regional situation,” he said.
Rouhani said that his former negotiating team, led by Abbas Araghchi -- now foreign minister, had secured a favorable agreement that would have lifted not only pre-existing sanctions but also those imposed by the Trump administration.
He alleged that the US had "almost agreed" to remove the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from its list of terrorist organizations.
"At that time, I said in the government that if they allow us, we will finish it today. Only one signature remained for Mr. Araghchi to complete," Rouhani said, accusing domestic opponents of blocking the deal to ensure his administration's failure.
He said while no agreement has been reached in the ongoing round, the talks have already offered hope to Iran's currency and gold markets, as well as public morale.
Rouhani also addressed the internal debate surrounding negotiations with the West, criticizing those who advocate for confrontation and disengagement from international organizations. He argued that while international bodies are not always fair, dialogue and diplomacy are essential for reducing tensions.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is traveling to Beijing on Tuesday with Ali Khamenei’s letter to Xi Jinping, a diplomatic source familiar with the message told Iran International.
The move comes days before Araghchi is expected to hold a third round of talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff.
“In his message to Xi, the Supreme Leader emphasized that the Islamic Republic remains fully committed to the 25-year cooperation agreement with China,” the source added.
“He added that Iran’s ‘Look to the East’ policy is a foundational pillar of its foreign relations and will not be altered by any rapprochement with Washington.”
The outreach comes as Iran’s role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has remained marginal.
Despite close political ties and a comprehensive strategic agreement signed, Chinese investments in Iran have lagged far behind expectations. Only two major deals were struck between 2013 and 2023, with one later annulled following the US exit from a 2015 nuclear deal.
Iran and the United States this month engaged in two rounds of nuclear negotiations, first in Muscat and then in Rome, mediated by Oman. The initial talks in Muscat were described as "positive and constructive," with both sides agreeing to continue discussions the following week.
A third round of talks is slated for Saturday, as the two sides approach a 60-day deadline set by the US president for achieving a deal on Tehran's disputed nuclear program.
In late March, Trump threatened to bomb Iran and impose secondary sanctions if no nuclear deal is reached with Tehran.
Post-2015 opening to West 'won't be repeated’
According to the same diplomatic source, Khamenei’s message also referenced Iran’s cautious opening up to diplomacy and economic cooperation with the West following a 2015 nuclear agreement, telling Xi that such a change in orientation would not be repeated.
“The message was meant to reassure China that any agreement with the US is solely intended to reduce tensions,” the source said.
In his weekly press briefing on Monday, Iran's Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran continues to coordinate with allies, adding, “It is natural that we will brief China on the latest in the Iran-US talks.”
Araghchi’s trip to Beijing mirrors a recent effort in which Iran’s foreign minister delivered a similar message from Khamenei to Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of earlier talks in Italy.
Though China remains Iran’s top trading partner, Chinese firms have signed far more lucrative contracts with Saudi Arabia and the UAE in recent years.
Since taking office, the Trump administration has escalated pressure on Iran by targeting Chinese teapot refineries—independent processors of Iranian crude that have served as a vital economic conduit for Tehran under sanctions.