Tehran: Mahmoud Vaezi, former chief of staff to Iran's ex-president Hassan Rouhani, has described the recent memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States as a negotiation from a position of strength, stressing that the agreement was carefully reviewed, clause by clause, across all sectors of the Islamic Republic.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, in an exclusive interview with IRNA on Monday, Vaezi said that amid regional tensions and periods of military and political pressure, Iran managed to maintain internal cohesion and put forward realistic proposals that ultimately shaped the direction of negotiations. He emphasized that the negotiating team, backed fully by the state and the public, firmly defended national interests with clarity and resolve.

Addressing the broader geopolitical context, Vaezi described the neither-war-nor-peace condition as a tool often used to gradually weaken countries through sustained economic, security, and psychological pressure. He said Iran rejected unjust conditions proposed by the other side and succeeded in shifting the negotiating framework through political and diplomatic resilience.

He also highlighted the role of regional mediators, particularly Pakistan and Qatar, saying their diplomatic engagement helped reduce tensions and facilitate dialogue. According to him, the final MoU was largely aligned with Iran's initial proposal, reflecting the country's negotiating leverage.

Turning to domestic criticism, Vaezi criticized what he described as a small but vocal group opposing negotiations, arguing that they operate outside formal decision-making structures and fail to present any viable alternative to diplomacy. He warned that rejecting negotiation without offering an alternative path could undermine national interests.

He further emphasized the importance of balanced media coverage, saying national media should provide a platform for diverse expert perspectives rather than amplify a single narrative. He pointed to the recent interview of Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi with state TV as a positive example of helping to clarify the situation and calm public opinion.

In conclusion, Vaezi said the agreement represents a product of institutional consensus and careful review by all relevant bodies, expressing hope that Iran's diplomatic path will ultimately lead to a dignified and sustainable deal in line with the country's national interests.