Call from Within: Motahari Urges Pezeshkian to Prepare for Trump Negotiations
In a notable political development, the moderate-conservative former deputy speaker of Iran’s parliament, Ali Motahari, has publicly urged President Massoud Pezeshkian in an open letter to declare his readiness to negotiate directly with Donald Trump should he win the U.S. presidential election. The proposal, coming from a prominent figure within the political establishment, signals a potential shift in Iranian diplomatic discourse.
Context and Conditions of the Proposal
Motahari clarified that this bold initiative must be contingent on approval from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Supreme National Security Council, a clear acknowledgment of Iran’s true power structure. He also stipulated preconditions for any dialogue to begin, chief among them the U.S. abandoning its demand for “zero enrichment”—a red line for Tehran—and providing compensation for damages from Washington’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal.
Strategic Calculations
The rationale, as argued by Motahari, is that a proactive, direct diplomatic approach with a potential Trump administration could neutralize the pressure levers used against Iran by both Europe and Israel. In his view, negotiating directly with Washington could sideline other players and reshape the geopolitical dynamics in Tehran’s favor. The proposal comes at a critical time, as the world braces for the possible return of Trump, who withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and initiated a “maximum pressure” campaign.
Conclusion: A Trial Balloon for a New Policy?
Motahari’s letter can be seen as a “trial balloon” floated by certain circles within the establishment to gauge reactions to the idea of direct engagement with Trump. While the proposal represents a potentially pragmatic approach, its realization is entirely dependent on the approval of the Supreme Leader, who remains the ultimate arbiter of all strategic and foreign policy matters.
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