Iran’s top security body warned domestic media against positive coverage of US President Donald Trump’s talk of peace with Iran, calling it part of an enemy psychological war, according to a confidential directive seen by Iran International.
President Trump told the Israeli Knesset on Monday that Tehran was tired of war and Washington was ready for peace after US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites in June.
Hours later, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) sent a directive to domestic media instructing them to exercise caution in covering his remarks.
"Trump’s remarks in the parliament of the Zionist regime, along with certain claims such as pursuing peace, making a deal with Iran and attempting to influence the media environment, make it necessary for colleagues to exercise vigilance regarding the enemy’s psychological warfare."
"Any optimistic view or excitement over a possible shift in the US approach could send wrong signals abroad, harm the economy, and undermine national unity," the SNSC said, according to the directive a copy of which was obtained by Iran International.
It also urged media outlets to provide analytical coverage of Trump's remarks and not simply repeat or amplify his statements.
In a later speech in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh, Trump said Iran could not survive sanctions and that it would likely return to negotiations.
"I think Iran will come along. They've been battered and bruised and, you know, they're out there. They need some help. There are big sanctions, as you know, tremendous sanctions," he told reporters alongside Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi.
"I'd love to take the sanctions off when they're ready to talk. But they can't really survive with those sanctions," he added ahead of the Middle East Peace Summit which gathered the leaders of 20 countries following a US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza.
Iran was also invited by Cairo to the summit, but declined the invitation citing the presence of Trump who ordered strikes on Iran in June and has imposed the harshest sanctions against the country.
"While favoring diplomatic engagement, neither President Pezeshkian nor I can engage with counterparts who have attacked the Iranian People and continue to threaten and sanction us," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday.
