EXCLUSIVE: TEHRAN READY TO ABANDON ENRICHMENT BUT NEEDS A FACE-SAVING EXIT
In an exclusive interview, a high-ranking Iranian diplomat revealed that Iran’s military and political leadership are prepared to give up uranium enrichment to preserve the regime.
“But we need a face-saving solution,” said the diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“The real priority of the Supreme Leader and our government is survival. The ongoing cycle of attacks and counterattacks between Israel and Iran will inevitably weaken our military, security forces, economy, public morale, and ultimately, the government,” he said.
“The army and the IRGC will inevitably lose control of the situation, and no one knows what might happen next. We do not want to repeat Saddam Hussein’s mistake. We are ready to negotiate,” added the diplomat, who, like many Iranian diplomats, previously served in the country’s intelligence services.
When asked why he chose to speak with IranWire, the diplomat said, “I’m worried about the future of our country and our people. Hopefully, you can share my message - not as a representative of the Iranian government, but as a concerned citizen - with the rest of the world.”
Since the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2025, Israel has launched strikes on Iranian military, commercial, and civilian targets, killing dozens of high-ranking military officials and nearly two hundred civilians.
Iran has responded by attacking both civilian and military targets in Israel, killing and injuring dozens across the country. “The world could not expect us to sit back and watch our military leaders and innocent civilians being killed,” said the diplomat.
When asked whether Iran’s decades-long use of proxy groups to target Israeli civilians and its insistence on developing a nuclear program justified Israel’s recent attacks, the former intelligence officer went through the usual Iranian spiel that its nuclear efforts are peaceful.
However, he added emphatically: “Whatever happened in the past — whatever actions our government took — we live in a new reality now. The priority is to save the system and prevent the destruction of our country.”
The diplomat believes President Trump is the only figure capable of resolving the situation. In an interview ahead of the G7 summit in Canada, Trump urged Iran and Israel to reach a ceasefire, while also suggesting that sometimes nations “must fight it out” first.
“Mr. Trump may be the only person who can end this quickly and peacefully,” the diplomat said. “He understands that the continuation of this conflict is not in the interest of Iran, the US, or even Israel.”
“Our leaders, including Mr. Khamenei (Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei), are ready to negotiate a real deal now,” he concluded, as he prepared to take his family to a suburb of Tehran. “As an Iranian, I want to ask Mr. Trump for help: Let’s put an end to this death and destruction quickly.”
Israeli strikes have killed 128 people and injured over 900 according to Iran's Health Ministry.
Israel said 8 people were killed overnight by Iranian attacks on Tel Aviv, Haifa and other cities.
The total number of people killed since Friday stands at 24, according to the Israeli PM's office and Israeli media.
Multiple locations in central, south and east Tehran were hit by Israeli projectiles, with columns of smoke rising from many parts of the city.
Keshavarz Boulevard, Valiasr Street, Jannat Abad, Tehran Pars and Niavaran were among Tehran areas targeted.
Explosions were heard near Ferdowsi Square, Sepahbod Gharani Street, Taleghani junction, Palestine Square and the Sadeghiyeh and Chitgar neighborhoods.