Talks Cannot Resolve Issues With US

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said negotiation would not resolve Iran’s issues with the United States, as they constantly seek new concessions. 
“Only after giving concessions in all fundamental areas and crossing all red lines, would the US … leave the country on its own,” he said in an address to a group of Basij volunteer forces from across the country, Leader.ir reported.
Their demands would grow from lowering enrichment levels to complete shut-down of the nuclear industry, and further to the closure of the defense sector and so on, he added. 
“No zealous Iranian would give such concessions, even if opposed to the Islamic Republic.” 
Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in response to analyses suggesting that to end the current unrest in the country, Tehran needs to address its problems with Washington. 
Iranian cities have seen demonstrations following the death of a young girl in police custody in September, which later developed into violent clashes between rioters and security forces. 
Tehran blames the West, particularly the US, for abusing the situation to provoke violence and incite movements against the Islamic Republic. 
The Leader had earlier described the developments as part of the “hybrid war” waged by hostile countries rather than mere street riots. 
Iran is at the same time engaged in indirect negotiations with the US on restoring the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which curbed Iran’s nuclear activity in return for sanctions relief. 
The JCPOA has been unravelling since Washington pulled out and reimposed tough sanctions, prompting Tehran to row back on its commitments in response. 
The talks, that have been underway in Vienna, Austria, since April 2021, have been stalled for months over final differences. 
Iran refuses to compromise on its legitimate demands and blames the US for resorting to other methods, such as provocation inside the country, to advance its agenda. 

Extensive Battlefield 

The Leader highlighted western countries’ scheme to plunder resources, wage war and create division in West Asia, adding that they have made a special investment in Iran, as the most important country in the strategic region, to gain complete dominance. 
“The [1979] Islamic Revolution struck a deadly, confusing and surprise blow to their colonialist policies in their safe haven,” he said. 
Such revolutionary thinking, that promoted independence and refusal to compromise, did not remain within Iranian borders and spilled out through the region, which is why those countries are seeking to topple the Islamic Republic, he added. 
Ayatollah Khamenei called on Basij forces to fully understand the scale of this huge campaign against the country, rather than limiting their view to few anti-revolution elements. 
“Through such comprehensive analysis, one could realize why the enemy insists on achieving a JCPOA 2 or 3,” he said, referring to western countries’ intention to start new talks with Iran on other subjects after reviving the original JCPOA. 
The JCPOA 2 would have Iran abandon its regional presence completely and the JCPOA 3 would call on the country to end the production of all strategic and important weapons such as missiles and drones and remain empty-handed, the Leader explained. 
“The battlefield of Basij forces is such an extensive and deep field, not just fighting a few street rioters,” he said. 
These disturbers are the fingertips of the very enemies whose mega scheme has failed, according to the Leader. 
“The main fight is against the global arrogance and these few people are either ignorant, foolish, uninformed and wrong analysts, or mercenaries,” he said. 
Ayatollah Khamenei also said Basij is more than a militia organization, but is in fact “a culture, discourse and school of thought.”
Serving the society without expectation and boast, being bravely present at all fronts against enemies and avoiding hopelessness are among the qualities of these forces, according to the Leader. 
“The culture of Basij is that of anonymous fighters who serve the country with all their power by taking risks and without expectation, and experience oppression in the way of freeing others,” he said.
In the current incidents, the Basij forces were piteously present so that the nation would not be oppressed by rioters and ignorant people or hired agents, the Leader said. 
Ayatollah Khamenei concluded his speech with some pieces of advice for Basij forces, encouraging them to maintain their hope and be vigilant about new enemy plots.