Aziz Ghadfanri, Deputy Assistant for Political Affairs in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, criticized recent statements by Iranian President Masoud Bezhikian regarding the necessity of negotiations to avoid attacks on Iran. Ghadfanri warned that “the arena of foreign policy is not a place to tell every truth,” considering that “repeating verbal mistakes can have consequences that harm national interests,” according to the Iran Observatory website. He stated that incorrect statements by high-ranking government officials primarily harm the government itself and restrict its maneuvering space in the “complex and exhausting” foreign policy field and even in domestic politics. He referred to the 2024 presidential election campaigns, noting that Bezhikian often read pre-written texts then to avoid mistakes, and that this approach has become more important now that he is president.

According to the deputy assistant, “every word and sentence carries a special meaning,” and media and international players interpret politicians’ statements according to their goals, making verbal mistakes capable of damaging national security. He called on the president and his advisors to consider these factors and find solutions to prevent such problems from recurring. The Iranian president emphasized that “dialogue does not mean defeat or surrender.” Bezhikian said during his meeting with media directors and owners on Sunday, speaking about negotiations with the United States, that “dialogue and discussion do not mean defeat or surrender.” These statements come after informed sources suggested the possibility of indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington early this month.