Clerics loyal to Khamenei slam talks with US as beneath Iran’s dignity

The mere presence of both teams in the same place—even if not in the same room—has sparked fresh hopes among a public weary of years of inconclusive diplomacy. Many Iranians have grown frustrated with what has often felt like a “negotiations for negotiations” cycle, with little to show in terms of real progress.

This time, however, the mood feels different. With Donald Trump pushing for concrete results and Iranian officials hinting that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei may finally be open to genuine engagement, optimism is spreading across Iranian cities. Many are hoping not only for economic relief but also for a de-escalation of tensions and an end to the ever-present threat of war.

The economic daily Tejarat asserted on Thursday that “Iran and America will come to the negotiating table with genuine intent—and perhaps even political honesty.” The paper noted that public optimism is high about the possibility of an agreement between Tehran and Washington. According to Tejarat, Trump is seeking a swift deal to halt Iran’s nuclear advances, while Iran is acutely aware that time is limited—particularly with the trigger mechanism of the 2015 nuclear agreement likely to be activated by October 18.

Over the past week, many Iranians appear to have moved past the debate over direct versus indirect negotiations, the paper said. Even Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi now seems to agree that the substance of the talks matters more than their format. At this stage, confidence-building appears to be the top priority for both sides.

Still, Tejarat cautioned that “despite Trump’s efforts to restrain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the shadow—and possibly the quiet influence—of Israel on the Oman negotiations cannot be ignored.”

In a hopeful assessment, Iranian academic Alireza Soltani, an international relations and foreign policy analyst, told Khabar Online that “the very fact that the talks are set to begin is already the first achievement in Iran-US diplomacy.” Soltani expressed optimism about the potential success of the negotiations in Oman.

He suggested that the two sides are likely to reach a quick agreement on at least two initial points: continuing the negotiations and moving toward direct talks. From there, progress could follow on Iran’s nuclear program and, more broadly, on reducing tensions in the region.

Meanwhile, in interviews with the Fararu website, foreign policy analysts Abdolreza Faraji Rad and Ali Ghanbari noted that the talks are unlikely to produce results quickly, estimating that it could take at least six months to reach any agreement. Ghanbari also cautioned that the Iranian market’s positive response to news of the talks may be short-lived. “However,” he added, “if the negotiations proceed smoothly, we could see an economic breakthrough.”

Meanwhile, in an interview with the pro-reform daily Arman Melli, reformist figure and former Tehran City Councillor Zahra Nejad Bahram stressed that “Iranian society seeks peace.” She suggested that, to counter hardline opposition to the talks, the government should allow a public rally in support of negotiations—demonstrating the popular backing such efforts enjoy.

“Hardliners who entered parliament with the support of only three percent of eligible voters lack legitimacy,” she said. Still, Nejad Bahram emphasized that Iran will proceed with the talks based on national interests. “While there’s no guarantee of success, opposing negotiations amounts to betrayal of the country,” she added.

As preparations for the talks continue, hardline media close to the core of power appear eager to shift responsibility to the Pezeshkian administration—seemingly to shield Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei from blame should the negotiations fail. In contrast, pro-Pezeshkian outlets such as Etemad argue at length that the president is simply carrying out the Supreme Leader’s directives, with little independent authority of his own.

This gap in messaging reflects the deeper political struggle over who owns the process—and who will answer for its outcome.

“Since February 2024, the date of the last edition of the Geiger Counter, the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program has worsened significantly,” the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) said in its report published Tuesday.

The Geiger Counter is an assessment tool used by the institute to measure the threat posed by Iran to the United States and its allies, focusing on its potential to develop nuclear weapons.

The report cited several factors contributing to its finding, including Iran’s increased nuclear capabilities, shorter timelines to develop nuclear weapons and growing internal discussions about weaponization.

It raised concerns over Iran's continued development of advanced centrifuges and the possibility of secret enrichment plants. Iran's non-cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East have further intensified fears of the country’s nuclear ambitions, the report said.

The report raised Iran’s overall threat score to 157 out of 180, up from 151 in February 2024, indicating "Extreme Danger."

The report comes as Washington and Tehran prepare for indirect talks on reaching a nuclear deal, with US President Donald Trump announcing the negotiations will begin on Saturday.

Nuclear power currently accounts for just one percent of Iran’s electricity generation. To make up for the country’s 25,000-megawatt shortfall, Iran would need to build 25 nuclear plants the size of Bushehr—which took 25 years to complete, even with Russian assistance.

Since its launch in 2011, the Bushehr nuclear plant has produced just 70 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity—worth less than $6 billion on regional markets. This modest output contrasts sharply with Iran’s extensive uranium enrichment program, which has been justified as necessary for nuclear power generation but has contributed to at least $2 trillion in direct economic losses from sanctions since 2012.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly announced plans to develop 20,000 megawatts of nuclear power capacity, but progress has been minimal. Atomic Energy Organization chief Mohammad Eslami has reiterated the goal, describing it as a “long-term” objective.

It remains unclear why Iran, with over 300 sunny days a year and vast windy coastal and mountainous regions, has not prioritized solar and wind energy—especially given that the cost of electricity from renewables is now comparable to that of nuclear power. Despite this potential, renewables still account for just one percent of Iran’s electricity production.

By contrast, the International Energy Agency recently reported that 75% of new global power capacity in 2024 came from renewable sources, while nuclear contributed only 5% to the growth in global electricity production last year.

Iran’s electricity and gas shortages now span all seasons

For the first time, Iran is experiencing electricity and gas shortages year-round, with blackouts beginning as early as spring—where previously they were confined to the peak of summer and winter.

This year’s electricity deficit is so severe that all provinces, including Tehran, are facing scheduled 90-minute blackouts during the day. The situation in the industrial sector is even worse. A petrochemical industrialist in Tabriz told Iran International—on condition of anonymity—that his factory endures two full days of power cuts and one day of water outages each week. In addition, daily 90-minute blackouts continue to disrupt production.

These outages are happening despite spring electricity demand being 35% lower than in summer, averaging around 50,000 megawatts (MW). With peak summer demand looming, there are serious doubts about the country’s ability to cope.

While Iran’s installed power generation capacity is officially around 62,000 MW, its failure to meet even current demand suggests a deeper crisis—most likely a fuel shortage for thermal power plants, which supply over 90% of the country’s electricity.

Gas shortages have also become a year-round issue since last year, and now electricity has followed the same pattern.

According to the Ministry of Energy, around 800,000 new electricity consumers are added to the grid annually since 2010—70% of them residential. To keep pace, Iran needed to boost electricity production by about 7% per year. In practice, only half that target was achieved over the past decade, and in recent years, production growth has fallen to just 30% of planned levels.

As a result, Iran’s net annual electricity exports have fallen from 8 Twh in the mid-2010s to zero over the past two years — with domestic production no longer sufficient to meet internal consumption.

Hydropower generation

Iran’s nominal power generation capacity stands at around 94,000 megawatts (MW), but only 62,000 MW is actually operational. The gap is due to the decommissioning of aging thermal plants and reduced output from hydroelectric facilities amid ongoing drought conditions.

In an attempt to mitigate the electricity shortfall, the government increased hydropower production by 25% over the past two years. However, this came at a cost: water levels in key dams—some of which supply drinking water to major cities, including Tehran—have dropped to just 7–10% of capacity. As a result, the country’s ability to rely on hydropower has been nearly exhausted.

Thermal power plants

Over the past 15 years, nearly all growth in Iran’s electricity supply has come from thermal power plants running on natural gas, fuel oil (mazut), and diesel. These plants now generate over 90% of the country’s electricity.

However, Iran is facing critical fuel shortages year-round, making it increasingly difficult to supply these plants. Compounding the problem, many of the facilities are outdated and inefficient, operating well below global standards.

It’s not just the low efficiency of power plants that is driving the electricity crisis. According to an official report from the Ministry of Energy, 13% of the electricity produced is lost in the country’s old and deteriorating transmission and distribution network.

The reaction came after Iran International invited public responses to the reversal in Khamenei’s stance, asking why he would now consider negotiations he previously called “unwise, undignified, and dishonorable.”

One respondent, in a video message to Iran International, referenced the leader’s earlier rhetoric: “You said negotiating with America is dishonorable. Now do you realize you’re without honor?”

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday confirmed the start of high-level, direct talks with Iran, following his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“We’re dealing with them directly and maybe a deal is going to be made,” Trump said, warning that if not, “Iran is going to be in great danger”.

Tehran is set to hold negotiations with Washington in Oman on Saturday.

In the face of criticism from inside and outside government, Iranian officials continued to frame the diplomatic channel as indirect. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state TV, “What America is doing is dictating. We believe indirect talks are more effective”.

Fatemeh Mohajerani, the administration’s spokesperson, also said the negotiations, while advanced and significant, remain indirect for now. “We have to begin the process to see where it leads, but the format remains non-direct,” she added.

Still, the public remains unconvinced by the government’s attempts to save face. Several respondents accused Khamenei of misleading the population over years of opposition to the US, only to retreat under duress.

“They lied about indirect negotiations for so long,” one person said in a voice message. “Now they should admit they were wrong.”

Others tied the capitulation to a fear of system collapse in the wake of the Women, Life, Freedom movement which has seen a mass movement against the government since 2022.

“Khamenei agreed to talk because he fears ending up like Gaddafi or Saddam,” another one said.

One man argued the stakes had now grown too high, just last month, Trump threatening to bomb Iran if a new deal was not agreed upon within two months. “Khamenei has no choice but to sit at the table. He knows if war breaks out, the same youth he wants to send to fight won’t aim at America or Israel—they’ll aim at him," he said.

Criticism also targeted the perceived hypocrisy of the leadership. “You used to accuse protesters of collaborating with hostile governments,” said one voice message addressed to Khamenei. “Now you’re negotiating with the very government you called hostile.”

Another message addressed Khamenei directly: “You’re a coward ruining the lives of over 80 million people. Now that you've suffered a defeat and backed down, even your own followers can see how cowardly you are.”

A separate voice message even accused the leader of backpedaling so much that he risked a total turnaround of decades of anti-US and anti-Israel animosity.

“Khamenei redefines words. Even ‘honor’ means something different to him,” the speaker said, before adding, “Soon he’ll be on his way to kiss Netanyahu’s hands.”

An overwhelming sense of "humiliation" has dominated the messages received by Iran International.

“This is humiliation. Khamenei once vowed neither war nor negotiation. Now there’s negotiation, no deal, and he still has to go," another Iranian said.

Hardline publication Khorasan cautioned that Iranian negotiators must guard against what it called mission creep, particularly in the face of US efforts to shift the agenda toward direct talks.

Iran insists the Oman discussions will focus solely on its nuclear program and officials in Tehran have ruled out negotiations on regional issues or its ballistic missile capabilities.

However, US officials may press for a broader agenda. An executive order US President Donald Trump signed in February called for curbs on Iran’s ballistic missile program and an end to its support for allied groups across the region, such as the Houthis in Yemen.

The group, designated a terrorist organization by countries such as the US and UK, is currently engaged in a tit-for-tat battle with the US amid its blockade of shipping in the Red Sea region.

Khorsan also warned that the talks should not overtake national priorities, including the country's economic crisis, the worst since the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979. Iran has been demanding the quick lifting of US sanctions that have devastated the economy.

The publication wrote that "diplomacy is not a solution to the country’s core problems".

On the eve of talks this week, President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking on National Nuclear Technology Day, reiterated Iran’s rejection of nuclear weapons.

“They [UN inspectors] have checked us a hundred times. Check again. We are not after the bomb,” he said. “We need nuclear science. They want us weak, but we will stand tall through knowledge.”

US President Donald Trump has warned of bombing Iran if Tehran fails to reach a new deal over its nuclear program, giving a two month deadline, without stating when that ends.