Since 1979 the two countries have fought numerous proxy conflicts throughout the Middle East and often exchange threats and insults. But they've stopped short of direct conflict and eventually agreed to a cold reconciliation. Karim Sadjadpour More Quotes by Karim Sadjadpour More Quotes From Karim Sadjadpour The Iranian government prevented journalists from marching in solidarity with the victims of the Charlie Hebdo massacre yet it organized flag-burning protests against the French embassy, that hasn't ingratiated them to a French nuclear negotiating team that is deeply cynical about the nature of the Iranian regime. Karim Sadjadpour cynicalteamnature The most important individual in the Iran is not President Ahmadinejad. It's the supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. He was elected, but we're not talking about free and fair elections in Iran. There are certain vetting processes which take place. Karim Sadjadpour importantleaderpresident President Ahmadinejad is not the most powerful individual. At the same time, he is reflecting Iranian views right now, so it's difficult to neglect him.And in the context of domestic U.S. politics, it's very difficult to ignore him. Karim Sadjadpour individualpowerfulpresident I really believe that actually Ahmadinejad undermines Iran far more than he enhances Iran's status. And I think we have to go back to what FDR said, you know, speak softly and carry a big stick. I think Iran under Ahmadinejad, they speak loudly and carry a small stick. Karim Sadjadpour speakbelievethinking I think whenever Ahmadinejad opens his mouth in forums, especially in front of the U.N. General Assembly, those that are listening, especially Western officials, European, American, even Chinese and Russian officials, I think, after listening to Ahmadinejad, they have even less confidence that there exists a mature political leadership in Iran which is amenable to some type of a diplomatic compromise. Karim Sadjadpour politicallisteningthinking Ayatollah Khamenei, the commander in chief of the IRGC, regularly praises Iranian officials who defy the U.S. and scorns officials who advocate cooperation with the U.S., i haven't seen any signs that this institutional culture has changed after the nuclear deal. Karim Sadjadpour world The forces of darkness remain pretty firmly entrenched, we shouldn't underestimate the Iranian population's will for change or underestimate the means of the Iranian regime to crush change seekers. Karim Sadjadpour politics Had it not been for Rafsanjani, Khamenei would have never become supreme leader. Those close to Rafsanjani say he rues the day he helped anoint Khamenei, they are the epitome of frenemies. Karim Sadjadpour energy In order to reach a deal, the administration has had to persuade a skeptical Congress and U.S. public that Iran's nuclear activities are now transparent and peaceful. Karim Sadjadpour top-news The leverage is much more in Washington than in the Gulf. Karim Sadjadpour world This letter vindicates the cynics and conspiracy theorists in Tehran who don't want a deal or believe Obama can't deliver on one, iran's hardliners have always thrived in isolation. Karim Sadjadpour top-news There's never been a strong correlation between his behavior and the price of oil. Karim Sadjadpour world It makes it much more difficult to sell this deal to the U.S. public. Karim Sadjadpour top-news
