00:08The biggest threat to Iran's nuclear deal may not be Washington, it may be Tehran itself.
00:15As negotiators move closer to a possible agreement with the United States,
00:19anger is boiling over inside Iran. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the foreign
00:25ministry in Tehran, chanting a message aimed directly at Iran's chief negotiator.
00:33Death to Araqchi, the dishonorable compromiser.
00:37The demonstrations mark one of the strongest public backlashes yet against the emerging U.S.-Iran
00:43framework, and reveal deep divisions within Iran's political establishment.
00:47The protests unfolded outside the Iranian foreign ministry on June 13.
00:52Many of those attending accused Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi of making unacceptable concessions
00:59to the United States.
01:00Demonstrators carried banners, waved flags, and demanded that negotiators abandon what
01:05they described as a one-sided agreement.
01:08Their anger centers on several key issues.
01:11Among them, Iran's commitments regarding its nuclear program, proposed arrangements involving
01:16the Strait of Hormuz, and the timeline for reducing the American military presence in the region.
01:22For many hardliners, the draft agreement crosses red lines that the Islamic Republic should
01:27never accept.
01:28The criticism is not limited to street protests.
01:32Prominent conservative politicians have also begun voicing concerns.
01:36One of the most outspoken critics has been hardline Member of Parliament Sayed Mohamed Nabavian.
01:43Nabavian argues that Iran is being asked to provide extensive written guarantees while receiving few concrete
01:49commitments in return.
01:51According to him, Tehran is being required to formally declare that it will never produce
01:56or acquire nuclear weapons.
01:58He also criticized provisions that could eventually address uranium enrichment, stockpiles, and broader
02:04nuclear-related activities.
02:06For hardliners, these commitments appear dangerously close to permanent concessions.
02:10Their central argument is simple.
02:13Iran is giving away strategic leverage in exchange for promises that could later be reversed.
02:18Many remain deeply skeptical of American intentions.
02:21They point to previous agreements that ultimately collapsed and warn that sanctions relief offered
02:27today could disappear tomorrow.
02:29On the other side of the debate stand Iran's pragmatists and economic moderates.
02:34They argue that the country desperately needs relief from years of sanctions, economic pressure,
02:39and international isolation.
02:41Supporters of negotiations believe a deal could unlock frozen assets, revive trade, stabilize markets,
02:48and reduce the risk of further military confrontation.
02:51For them, compromise is not surrender, it is a necessity.
02:55The dispute highlights a broader struggle within Iran's leadership.
02:58How much flexibility should Tehran show in exchange for economic recovery?
03:03And where is the line between diplomacy and capitulation?
03:07The government itself has so far remained largely silent on the demonstrations.
03:12State media has minimized coverage of the protests and downplayed their significance.
03:16But the images circulating online tell a different story.
03:20They show a vocal segment of Iranian society deeply uncomfortable with the direction of the negotiations.
03:26The timing could hardly be more sensitive.
03:29Indirect talks mediated by regional actors appear closer than ever to producing a formal framework agreement.
03:36Yet every step toward a deal increases domestic political pressure on negotiators.
03:41For Irakchi, the challenge is becoming increasingly difficult.
03:45He must convince foreign counterparts that Iran is serious about diplomacy,
03:49while simultaneously convincing critics at home that Iran is not surrendering its principles.
03:54History shows that foreign negotiations are often won or lost,
03:59not only across the negotiating table, but also in domestic politics.
04:04And today, Iran's internal battle over the deal may be becoming just as important as the talks themselves.
04:10The diplomats are still negotiating, the hardliners are still protesting,
04:14and the future of a possible U.S.-Iran agreement remains caught
04:18between diplomacy abroad and resistance at home.
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