Debate has erupted in Iran over President Masoud Pezeshkian’s upcoming trip to the UN General Assembly in New York, with politicians, clerics and commentators split on whether he should meet Donald Trump or avoid the risk.
Here are ten of the sharpest takes.
1. Make history
Former Tehran mayor Gholamhossein Karbaschi:
“If Pezeshkian wishes to be remembered honorably by history, this is the time for it.”One reader commented: “Should he seek authorization to negotiate—or permission to surrender?”
2. Last chance for diplomacy
Political commentator Ali Bigdeli:
“Pezeshkian’s presence in New York is Iran’s last chance for diplomacy. If he goes empty-handed, he would be better off staying home than attending the UNGA.”
3. Only if Trump asks
Former lawmaker Ali Motahari:
“If Trump asks for a meeting with Pezeshkian, our president should accept for the sake of national interests, despite Trump’s hypocrisy and lies. Perhaps Trump’s ambition to take credit for everything could work in Iran’s favor.”
4. Negotiation is fantasy
Mohammad Mehdi Imanipour, head of the Islamic Culture and Communication Organization:
“Holding talks with Trump and similar ideas are fantasy. This is a precious opportunity to tell the world about the 12-day war with Israel and to make clear that Iran was attacked while pursuing peaceful negotiations.”
5. Don’t count on China, Russia
Political commentator Qasem Mohebali:
“It is wise to reach an agreement with the West now. We can renegotiate later from a position of strength. The most China and Russia would do for us is preserve the status quo.”
6. Seek the Leader’s backing
Reformist figure Mohammad Atrianfar:
“If Pezeshkian wants to change the current trajectory of negotiations, he must create a turning point by doing something new. If he secures Khamenei’s backing, he could even hold direct talks with Trump and seize the opportunity to serve the country’s interests.”
7. Don’t meet E3 leaders
Conservative commentator Nasser Imani:
“Pezeshkian should strictly avoid meetings with the leaders of the three countries that activated the trigger mechanism against Iran … The US and European leaders undermined not only international law but also the very organizations they themselves created.”
8. Avert UN sanctions
An editorial in the moderate daily Ham Mihan:
“(We should) not take the risky path toward sanctions. It is not true that it can do no further harm … We are masters of wasting time and missing opportunities.”
9. Do what you believe is right
Another Ham Mihan editorial:
“Do what you honestly believe is essential for the public good and the country’s survival. Never think in terms of personal interests. Do not fear criticism, and avoid later saying you wanted to act differently but were not allowed.”
10. For a picture only
Hardline figure Abdollah Ganji, former editor of the IRGC’s Javan daily:
“Two countries that have fought each other—and one of them has imposed over 3,000 sanctions on the other—cannot negotiate like this.”
Ganji branded moderates “shameless,” accusing them of seeking to put Pezeshkian “in the same picture with Trump for a moment regardless of the result.”