Vienna Nuke Talks: Iran Hardliners React

            Hardliners in Iran's parliament and media criticized ongoing nuclear talks with the world's six major powers, following the announcement that negotiations will be extended for seven months. Iran and the so-called P5+1 countries —Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States had to extend the talks for a second time after failing to reach an agreement by the November 24 deadline. Some lawmakers reportedly chanted "Down with America" after Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Hassan Aboutorabi-Fard expressed support for the extension during a parliamentary session on November 25. Meanwhile, hardline newspaper Kayhan ran the headline "Village headman [United States] wasn't trustworthy, sanctions extended." The following are statements from parliament members and translations of headlines from Iranian newspapers disapproving of continued diplomatic engagement with the West. 
 
Reactions from Members of Parliament
 
Member of Parliament Hamid Rasaei
 
            "It's already a year since Mr. Rouhani tried his magic key to turn around America's wolfish nature. Instead of turning, the key of trust and optimism broke in the lock."
            "We have no idea what happened in Vienna ... What has been agreed upon in Vienna?"
            Nov 25, 2014 according to the press
     
            "Our criticism relates to [Rouhani's] optimism towards the West."
            Nov. 25, 2014 according to the press
 
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Hassan Aboutorabi-Fard
 
            “The remarks by US secretary of state who says sanctions regime remained intact and Iran remained committed to the Geneva deal… implies the excessive demands of the US statesmen and their insolent attitude.”
            “Both of us (Iranian and the US officials) and also the world know that sanctions have not been left intact, but the Iranian nation’s resistance forced you (Americans) to consider the negotiation as a way out of the impasse you have created and come to the negotiation table after accepting a nuclear Iran.”
            Nov. 25, 2014 in a parliamentary session
 
            "The reality of the negotiations over the past year shows that one needs to talk to America and its (Western) allies from a position of power, the language of force.”
            "Only a nation that has the upper hand can defend its interests in the present world order, the language of force."
            Nov 25, 2014 according to the press
 
Member of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy Mansour Haghighatpour

            "Iran does not give in its long-term interests."
            "Our national interests should remain intact."
            "We had never pinned our hopes to the deal."
            Nov 25, 2014 according to the press
 
Member of Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Mohammad Kowsari
 
            “We believe that after a year and so, practically there has been no agreement at all; extension of talks is an outcome and indication of failure of both sides in hammering out a deal, which forced them to extend the time to negotiate.
            “The government should not put all his eggs on the negotiation basket; if it expects a successful negotiation, it should set limits to that so that it would not go beyond the line. If this second stage of talks also fails, and there is a third stage, the government should abandon it altogether; if the government does not have the support of the nation inside, it definitely will concede damage.”
            Dec. 8, 2014 to Mehr News
 
Reactions from the Media
 
Vatan-e Emrooz
"Nothing!"
 
            A front-page editorial added, "A year has passed since the Geneva accord. Nuclear negotiations for the removal of sanctions did not reach a result...This is to cover up that negotiations in fact failed because of America's excessive demands."
            Nov. 25, 2014 via Al-Arabiya

Kayhan
"Village headman [United States] wasn't trustworthy, sanctions were extended."

Javan
"Seven months of CPR [artificial respiration] to nuclear diplomacy."
 
Arman-e Emrooz
“Seven-day negotiations have been extended for seven months.”
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Siasate-e Rooz
            A front page editorial stated, "Americans, despite announcing in their media that they want a deal, do not believe in reaching a nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran and have never taken any steps to achieve this result."
            Nov. 25, 2014 via Al-Arabiya