The Military Issues Hardline Statement
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, said regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's conciliatory message, "Iran will not be deceived by the speech of the U.S. president who proposed cooperation while imposing unprecedented sanctions on Iran."
In an interview with Iran's state-run IRNA news agency on the 9th, Ambassador Takht-Ravanchi stated, "The U.S. government does not want to engage in dialogue with Iran." He added, "The U.S. president's proposal for cooperation is hard to believe," and dismissed it by saying, "As long as the U.S. maintains hostility toward Iran, negotiations are meaningless."
This interview was the first official response from Iran following President Trump's speech. Since he has previously expressed the Iranian government's position to the international community, this interview is interpreted as conveying the viewpoint of Iran's leadership.
Earlier, on the 8th, President Trump, in a national address, spoke to the Iranian people and leaders, saying, "We want them to have a future, and a great future," and stated that instead of a military response, he would strengthen economic sanctions against Iran. He added, "This is a future of prosperity domestically and harmony with countries around the world," and declared, "The United States is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it."
Within the Iranian military, even after President Trump's speech, hardline statements were made. Following the killing of Qasem Soleimani by the U.S., Esmail Ghaani, the new commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, said on the 9th, "They will eventually leave the Middle East due to missile attacks on U.S. bases," and "We will continue strongly on this shining path." Dola Aragi, Iran's military security advisor, stated, "The Revolutionary Guard will soon retaliate more strongly against the enemies."
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