Protests in Tehran and Mashhad Oppose Iraqchi's Talks with Washington Against Khamenei's Directives

On Saturday evening, protests took place around the Iranian Foreign Ministry in Tehran and in the northeastern city of Mashhad, opposing the current negotiation process between Tehran and Washington. Demonstrators voiced their rejection of the progress in talks between the two sides.

A video circulated by media outlets aligned with Iran’s hardline faction showed protesters chanting critical slogans and sharply criticizing Foreign Minister Abbas Iraqchi. Supporters of the demonstration described Iraqchi’s actions as violating the directives of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.

Opposition to Negotiation Progress and Leadership Demands

The hardline outlet Rajanews, affiliated with the Iranian Resistance Front, reported that participants in the protests warned Iranian officials against repeating mistakes from previous negotiation attempts, alluding to the prior nuclear deal.

Media platforms close to this faction circulated calls urging Iran’s leadership to publicly and explicitly declare its stance on the negotiation path or to restructure the negotiating team. They argued that a lack of public support could expose officials to political accountability if any future agreement fails or stalls.

So far, the Iranian Foreign Ministry has not issued any official statements regarding the protests or the issues raised during them.

Concerns Over Nuclear Deal Terms and Negotiation Control

Earlier, Mahmoud Nabavian, deputy chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, stated that clauses in the draft agreement with the United States suggest that the future of Iran’s nuclear program will be subject to terms defined according to Washington’s preferences.

In a televised interview, Nabavian explained that Iran commits, according to the draft, to fully reduce and dilute its stockpile of enriched uranium, calling this one of the main points of the proposed understanding.

He added that "the fate of the nuclear file will not be decided independently by Iran but will fall under American conditions and restrictions," accusing Minister Iraqchi of "directly conveying Washington’s demands" during the negotiation process.

Protests in Mashhad Target Iraqchi and Parliament Speaker

Iranian news sources also reported a march against Iraqchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Mashhad. The demonstration, believed to have been organized by the conservative Resistance Front, gathered supporters in front of the Foreign Ministry building in Mashhad, with some protesters wearing burial shrouds.

Video footage showed slogans against Iraqchi and Ghalibaf, including "Ghalibaf, Iraqchi: what about the blood of our leader then?" referencing the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28.

Other chants included "Iraqchi, have shame and leave the country," and "Iraqchi, have shame and leave the negotiations," alongside slogans rejecting what they described as a "settlement" with the United States.

Reports indicated that figures affiliated with political currents opposing any potential agreement participated in the protest, with the primary focus being rejection of any understanding or settlement with Washington.

These developments come amid increasing speculation about Iran and the United States nearing a possible agreement framework, while official sources confirm that discussions continue without finalizing details.