Friday sermons in Iran reflect hardline pushback against US talks

At the same time, some of the key politicians who opposed the idea of negotiations with the United States have been realigning their stances and shifting their loyalties.

The conservative Jomhouri Eslami newspaper described the past week as marked by an intensifying war of words between supporters and opponents of negotiations aimed at addressing Iran's economic and foreign policy impasse.

The daily wrote: “Supporters of negotiations argue Iran cannot permanently cut ties with one of the world's major powers. They point to China and Russia, which have long-standing rivalries and conflicting interests with the US yet maintain relations. Likewise, they contend, Iran can engage with the United States and other nations—except those with illegitimate governments—without being vulnerable to coercion.”

"This group of politicians believes Iran must reconsider its foreign policy to better serve its own interests. On the other hand, opponents of negotiations, who are at the center of the recent infighting, argue that Iran should have no relations with the United States, as nothing justifies talks with Washington," the Jomhouri Eslami wrote, adding, "The opponents of negotiations with America insist that the United States is not trustworthy and that its officials do not honor their commitments."

The daily noted that this group organized rallies in Tehran over the past week to protest negotiations and their supporters. However, it added that statements from Iranian officials throughout the week suggest the country is more inclined than ever to pursue talks with the United States.

The daily added, "If this is the case, there is hope for a breakthrough in Iran's foreign relations that could lead to an improvement in Iranians' livelihood."

The commentary was part of the daily's weekly roundup in a tumultuous week of infighting and shifting alliances, including divisions within the conservative camp.

The conservative Nameh News website described an ongoing and unresolved rivalry between Majles Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and former Supreme National Security Council secretary Saeed Jalili.

The reformist, pro-government daily Etemad linked the disputes between the two politicians to their rivalry in past and recent presidential elections. In the June 2024 election, Ghalibaf withdrew his candidacy in favor of Masoud Pezeshkian, ultimately helping pave the way for Pezeshkian's victory in the runoff. According to Nameh News, the two politicians maintain opposing views about negotiations with the United States.

The website noted that, unlike Jalili, Ghalibaf does not oppose negotiations but believes Iranian negotiators should first align on their definitions and demands. However, it observed that Jalili and his supporters, particularly in the ultraconservative Paydari Party, oppose any form of talks between Iran and the United States.

"Jalili believes that Iran and the United States are fundamentally at odds, positioned as opposing forces by nature. He argues that escalating tensions between the two can serve as a means to restrain the other side," the website wrote.

As a result of the dispute, Ghalibaf—who has repeatedly shifted his loyalties over the past six months, moving between the Paydari camp and Pezeshkian's supporters—has once again aligned himself with the latter, Nameh News concluded.

Widening divisions are also emerging between pro-Pezeshkian reformists and the conservative faction. Ayatollah Mohsen Gharavian, a former ultraconservative who has joined the Reformists, insisted in an interview with Khabar Online that "the only way to end the sanctions is negotiating with global powers." He accused Jalili of mobilizing vigilantes in the streets against negotiations and argued that "he should distance himself from the radicals if he was not behind the rallies."

Meanwhile, Mohammad Karbasi, a hardline cleric in Qom, the center of the Shiite Seminary, accused reformist cleric Mohammad Ali Abtahi of "having a plan to instigate riots in the streets" after Abtahi recently stated in a post on X that "Iran's economy is affected by the impact of the sanctions" and that "negotiations can have a positive impact on Iran's economy if we have competent diplomats."

Hezbollah has traditionally played a key role in forming the government, working alongside its Shi'ite ally the Amal Movement which has controlled Lebanon’s finance ministry since 2014.

US officials are keen to limit their influence as Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam assembles a new cabinet, Reuters reported.

The US is exerting significant pressure on both Salam and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to curb Hezbollah's power, Reuters cited a source close to the group as saying.

Lebanon could face difficulties securing foreign financial aid crucial for post-war reconstruction if Hezbollah or Amal were to select the next finance minister, Reuters reported citing other sources.

Washington’s intervention comes as Hezbollah’s position in the region has been shaken after over a year of combat with Israel.

Its key ally Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was toppled by Islamist militants, transforming the political landscape in Lebanon and the broader Middle East.

The damage from Israeli airstrikes last year was extensive, particularly in Shi'ite-majority areas where Hezbollah enjoys strong support.

While Hezbollah has urged international and regional powers to assist Lebanon’s rebuilding efforts, sources suggest that financial assistance is likely conditional on political changes—particularly the group’s diminished role in government.

Aoun’s presidency marks a shift from Iranian-backed dominance in Lebanon’s politics. Backed by factions seeking to reduce Hezbollah’s power, his election ended years of political paralysis and exposed the divide between Lebanon’s pro-Western and pro-Hezbollah blocs.

In his first parliamentary address, Aoun called for the Lebanese state to reclaim control over its military, signaling a challenge to Hezbollah. He said that his presidency would work towards ensuring the state had the exclusive right to bear arms—an implicit challenge to Hezbollah’s vast arsenal.

Iran’s embassy in Beirut congratulated Lebanon on Aoun’s election, expressing hope for stronger cooperation between the two nations. The statement did not address Hezbollah’s arms, reflecting the growing political tensions over the group’s future role in the country.

Iranian envoys have been flying into Beirut from Tehran with suitcases stuffed with US dollars to finance Hezbollah’s operations. Additionally, Israel has reported that Turkish nationals have been used as couriers to transport funds from Istanbul to Beirut, according to WSJ.

The cease-fire committee, which includes representatives from Israel, Lebanon, the US, France, and the UN, has relayed these concerns to Lebanon’s government. The cease-fire terms require Lebanon to secure its borders to prevent arms smuggling but do not explicitly address cash transfers, WSJ reported, citing an unnamed US defense official.

These allegations come amid increased scrutiny of Iranian financial activities in Lebanon. In early January, tensions flared at Beirut Airport when an Iranian diplomat refused to have his bags searched, triggering a brief standoff. Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry later said that the funds in the diplomat’s possession were for embassy expenses and were allowed entry under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

However, reports suggest this was the third such incident since November, raising concerns about Lebanon’s commitment to curbing Iranian cash and arms transfers to Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem revealed in December that $50 million had been distributed to over 233,000 displaced Lebanese households, openly acknowledging Iranian financial support for the group.

Reports of cash transfers to Iran’s proxy groups have surfaced in the past. In 2006, Mahmoud al-Zahar, a senior Hamas official, said on Al-Alam TV that during a visit to Tehran, he received several suitcases containing $22 million from Qassem Soleimani, the late commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force.

In 2019, China’s Xinhua News Agency reported that during an event preceding "Quds Day" in Gaza, Iran distributed $651,000 to Palestinian families in the territory.

“These drills contribute to enhancing our combat readiness, demonstrating our national deterrence capabilities, and informing the public of our defensive strength,” said Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, chief of staff and deputy coordinator of the army.

“At the same time, they allow our adversaries to witness the extent of our deterrence and defense power.”

This military build-up comes as tensions with Israel and the US persist, with growing attention on Donald Trump’s stance on Iran.

Israeli officials have reiterated the possibility of military action against Iran’s nuclear program. On Thursday, Omer Dostri, spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told The Jerusalem Post that while Israel prefers a diplomatic solution, it doubts Iran will comply.

“War is one way to achieve our objectives. If Iran halts its nuclear ambitions without an Israeli strike, fantastic,” he said. “But we do not expect that to happen.”

Dostri also said Israel hopes to work with Trump to restore his maximum pressure policy, which had imposed severe sanctions on Iran.

While Trump has suggested he may seek a diplomatic solution, Dostri made it clear that Israel is ready to act alone if needed. “We’ll give it a chance, but the clock is ticking. If necessary, we will act – with or without American approval.”

The latest drills in Iran included joint operations between the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian army, focusing on protecting key nuclear sites such as Natanz and Fordow.

The exercises, set to continue until mid-March, follow Iran’s unveiling of the Zagros, its first signals intelligence (SIGINT) vessel for electronic surveillance. Iran has also received 1,000 new drones to strengthen its defense capabilities.

Earlier this month, 110,000 paramilitary Basij forces took part in an IRGC drill to prepare for potential threats to Tehran.

Sina is the portrait of the Iranian youth. Opposed to the theocratic establishment, he dreams of a better life in the West, but what he has experienced in his pursuit of freedom illustrates the grim reality of what many Iranian refugees face.

“The way they treat us here is like we’re not humans,” said Sina, speaking to Iran International.

Sina’s sleeping quarters that he shares with six people and the washrooms have no lights. Sina said he often has to wait 12 to 14 hours before he is permitted to recreation outdoors.

“I wasn’t even registered for food (rations) until recently and other Iranians would bring me food—which is not really edible anyway,” he said.

At the height of the Woman, Life, Freedom uprisings sparked by the death of young woman Mahsa Jina Amini in Iranian morality police custody in September 2022, Sina was one of tens of thousands of demonstrators arrested.

Sina described 18 days of interrogation, saying the night before his transfer to Tehran's notorious Evin prison that he was threatened with death unless he confessed. The next day he was blindfolded and threatened more.

"Prepare for your execution. Write your will if you have anything to say," Sina said his Iranian interrogators told him in prison.

However, he believes the threats of execution were part of their psychological torture. He was released from prison a few weeks later.

Sina felt life wasn't safe anymore after being released and decided two years later it was time to leave his homeland for new beginnings - but what awaited him was worse, he said.

Smugglers and victimizing refugees

After escaping Iran on a perilous journey in June 2024, Sina initially sought refuge in Turkey. He and a friend paid to make their way to Greece en route to the West when he was detained by Greek authorities.

Sina said he and his friend from Iran were searched by two armed men, wearing what he described as commando fatigues. They were then forced onto a pickup truck where they were dropped off at police headquarters.

After being questioned by Greek police, Sina said authorities bundled him and his friend onto another truck manned by a group of masked men. Sina said they were smugglers.

They were beaten with metal pipes, he said, and what happened next left Sina scarred for life. Sina said he was gang raped by the smugglers.

It happened at gunpoint, Sina said, adding that his hands were tied behind his back.

The smugglers took him and other refugees across the Evros River and back into Turkey to Istanbul.

Sina’s therapist, Azadeh Afsahi who was put in touch with him through other Iranian dissidents aware of his case, has been connecting with him since he was smuggled back into Turkey in June.

Sina was staying in insect-infested, illegal hostels until he was caught by Turkish authorities while trying to see a lawyer to legally leave the country.

“The trauma that he is enduring every day and now that he was put in camp in this deportation camp, all of those memories are coming back to him,” Afsahi told Iran International. “He is diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and severe depression. He has nightmares. He can't sleep."

Afsahi, who is of Iranian origin and lives in California, said Sina’s life is in danger either by suicide or death at the hands of Iranian authorities should he be repatriated. She communicates with Sina by telephone.

“He has suicidal thoughts. He is very depressed," said Afsahi who made the assessment of Sina as a clinical therapist.

"I have his permission to talk about this. Usually, I don't talk about what's happening in therapeutic sessions because it's against confidentiality. But the reason I'm talking right now is because his life is in danger," she added.

The conditions in the deportation camp only further put his life in peril, and he feels unsafe in that environment, fearing he could become a victim of sexual assault again, according to Afsahi.

"He thinks that is going to happen again," added Afsahi.

Sina is speaking out, using his real name to raise awareness on the plight of Iranian refugees. It's a rare move as most Iranian refugees are too afraid to come forward given their precarious situation.

39,000 Iranians were registered as refugees in Turkey in 2019, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency.

Afsahi advocates to help save Sina's life and to push for change.

"For the three years that I've been working with the refugees in Turkey, the government is resembling the Islamic Republic, said Afsahi "I want the curtains to be open so we can see what the Turkish government is doing to the Iranian refugees."

Afsahi feels Sina's status under international and Turkish law as a refugee is being ignored.

In the meantime, Sina's life hangs in the balance, not knowing how much longer he has to live in the camp or if he could possibly be deported back to Iran.

"I want people to know what is happening that's why I am allowing my voice and name to come out," said Sina.