An Iranian newspaper close to President Masoud Pezeshkian’s government has called for a fresh approach to negotiations with the United States. Citing encouragement from several Arab nations and mediation offers, along with a shift in the tone of US officials, including President Donald Trump, the paper interpreted these developments as a sign of easing tensions between Tehran and Washington.
This comes as US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz reaffirmed the effectiveness of the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” strategy against Iran. He emphasized that this policy continues to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program and its support for regional proxy groups.
The moderate-leaning Jomhouri Eslami newspaper urged Iran to consider mediation proposals from neighboring countries but argued that these states should not be directly involved in the negotiations. It highlighted Iran’s previous success in diplomacy, referencing its talks with former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in the 1980s. The paper insisted that Tehran should use its past experiences while maintaining a strict ban on negotiations with Israel, which it considers illegitimate.
The editorial also noted that recent developments in Syria have made the regional situation increasingly complex. It warned that Iran is being sidelined in the geopolitical struggle over Syria’s future and called for a stronger regional role to safeguard Tehran’s national interests. Additionally, it urged the Iranian government to prioritize domestic issues, arguing that excessive focus on foreign policy has come at the expense of improving citizens’ living conditions.
“A government’s strength comes from within, by meeting the needs of its people and ensuring their rights,” it stated. “Defensive power is only effective if backed by public trust.”
Earlier this month, Trump signed a memorandum reinstating the “maximum pressure” strategy against Iran while leaving the door open for diplomatic negotiations over a new nuclear agreement. Iranian officials have accused Trump of attempting to disarm Iran and dismantle its nuclear program. Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei ordered an acceleration in the production of ballistic missiles.
Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Waltz defended the administration’s hardline policies, arguing that they would cripple Iran’s economy and prevent it from funding its regional proxies, including Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas. He asserted that the pressure campaign had previously weakened these groups financially and that the administration was working to maintain its effectiveness.
Waltz reiterated that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons, warning that a nuclear-armed Tehran would be a direct threat to global security.
In a related development, the US Treasury Department welcomed the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) decision to keep Iran on its blacklist due to concerns over money laundering and terrorism financing. The Pezeshkian government, meanwhile, is struggling to pass legislation that would bring Iran into compliance with FATF regulations, including international agreements on combating financial crimes.