Iranian Hardliners Oppose U.S. Deal

Iranian Hardliners Challenge Proposed U.S. Deal

Iranian hardliners are actively opposing a proposed deal with the United States, arguing it lacks sufficient guarantees for sanctions relief, compensation, and control over the Strait of Hormuz. This opposition, led by figures such as MP Kamran Ghazanfari and Meysam Nili, the managing director of Rajanews, claims the agreement represents a “catastrophic capitulation” for Iran. The criticism centers on the perceived absence of clear benefits for Iran and the potential for continued U.S. influence.

In response, Iranian officials, including Mehdi Mohammadi, an adviser to the negotiating team, have defended the deal. Mohammadi stated that the agreement would end regional conflicts, including Israel’s offensive in Lebanon, and does not impose new commitments on Iran’s nuclear program. He also asserted that the deal’s language, specifically “Iranian arrangements,” would allow Iran and Oman to levy fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz and could restrict Israeli commercial vessels. Mohammadi claimed the U.S. had resisted this phrasing and that the deal would lift primary sanctions in its second phase.

The dispute highlights a significant internal division within Iran regarding the terms and implications of the proposed agreement. Critics, including members of the Paydari Front, argue that the deal compromises Iran’s strategic leverage, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Proponents maintain that the agreement is more favorable than the 2015 nuclear pact, offering a pathway to economic relief while preserving Iran’s strategic interests and control over key waterways.