Following Donald Trump’s victory in the recent U.S. election, Iran has urged the United States to use this moment as an opportunity to reflect and reevaluate past “wrong policies.” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei made this statement on Thursday, a day after Trump’s win. Prior to the election, Iran had largely downplayed its potential impact, with Iranian officials stating it would be inconsequential to their country’s stance.
“The general policies of the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran are fixed,” government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani noted, adding, “It doesn’t matter who becomes president. Plans have already been set so that there is no change in people’s livelihood.”
However, in light of Trump’s significant win, Iran is now calling for a policy review, especially concerning past measures that have strained relations. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which led to the ousting of Iran’s Western-backed shah, the U.S. and Iran have maintained a tense relationship. Tensions, however, reached a peak during Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021.
During that period, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and imposed severe sanctions on Iran. In 2020, his administration authorized an airstrike that killed Qasem Soleimani, a prominent Iranian general of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, near Baghdad airport. The “maximum pressure” strategy pursued by Trump led to heightened sanctions and diplomatic strains.
Esmaeil Baghaei reflected on these actions, emphasizing Iran’s “bitter experiences with the policies and approaches of different U.S. administrations.” He called for a shift toward a more sustainable and lenient approach that could benefit both nations.
Iran has long viewed the return of Trump with caution, given the harsh measures implemented during his first tenure. As Trump assumes office again, Iran remains wary of potential repercussions, hoping to avoid a repeat of the difficulties experienced during his previous administration.
