DESPITE IRANIAN DENIAL, A DELEGATION FROM WASHINGTON WILL ARRIVE IN BAGHDAD “SOON” TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS WITH TEHRAN – URGENT
Former House of Representatives Rapporteur, Muhammad Othman Al-Khalidi, revealed today, Friday (February 21, 2025), the imminent arrival of a high-ranking American delegation to begin the first steps of indirect negotiations with Iran.
Al-Khalidi said in an interview with Baghdad Today, “It seems that the White House has decided to proceed with important negotiations with Iran through the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, even if indirectly,” noting that “the delegation that is expected to attend soon came after several messages were submitted through Iraqi mediators to Tehran in order to determine the features of the upcoming negotiations and the axes that will be discussed.”
Al-Khalidi added, “The negotiations between Washington and Tehran are important for the Middle East region, in order to reduce tension and seek a way out of what is happening.”
He pointed out that “what matters to us as Iraqis in these negotiations is that Baghdad not be an arena for conflicts and tensions, and that we be a party that enhances security and stability, and that we do not side with any axis,” stressing that “Baghdad is trying, through its relations with Washington and Tehran, to push all parties to negotiations that contribute to preventing the spread of crises and tensions in this vital region.”
Al-Khalidi explained that “Washington and Tehran have come to realize that tension does not serve their interests, and therefore they are seeking points of understanding that can be built upon in negotiations that may contribute to resolving complex issues such as the nuclear file and other problems, including economic sanctions.”
He continued: “Iraq will follow these negotiations in the hope that they will result in understandings between America and Iran that will have a positive impact on the region.”
Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed that negotiations with America under the current circumstances are meaningless.
According to Iranian media, she said, “In the situation where America is practicing a policy of maximum pressure, negotiations are meaningless, but we are a people ready to negotiate,” indicating, “The door to negotiations has always been open on Iran’s part, and whoever closes the door to negotiations is someone else.”
She continued: “They are the ones who did not abide by what they signed and left the negotiating table, while we are good negotiators and always welcome the opportunity to talk to the world and bring peace. ”
However, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, said that experience has shown that negotiating with the United States is “neither smart, nor honorable, nor wise,” and that negotiations with the United States will not solve Iran’s problems, according to Iranian media.
Khamenei’s statements came during his reception of a crowd of commanders of the Iranian Air Force, and in response to US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he had signed a memorandum preventing Iran from possessing nuclear weapons.
He stressed: “Negotiating with America has no effect on solving the country’s problems, and we must realize this fact correctly. They must not delude us that sitting at the negotiating table with that government will lead to solving this or that problem. No, no problem will be solved through negotiating with America, and past experience has proven this,” according to the Iranian agency.
