Rezaei: US tone has completely changed; no decision yet on nuclear doctrine, but debate continues

Speaking in an interview with national television on Saturday night, Rezaei said he has received and carefully reviewed a letter from US Vice President JD Vance but has not yet issued a formal response.

He said that no new official or governmental decision has been taken on Iran’s nuclear doctrine yet.

“No new decision has been made yet,” he said. However, he stated that an internal debate is underway. “Of course, the discussion is now whether, if another war breaks out, we want to maintain the same doctrine as before.”

He added that the shift in Washington’s language is unmistakable. “Their tone has completely changed, and this is a very good sign,” he stated. “Alhamdulillah, the Iranian nation has consolidated its victory and its power.”

Rezaei’s latest remarks come against a backdrop of repeated statements from Iranian officials that the country’s nuclear doctrine remains unchanged for now. At the same time, the door is kept open for a review depending on US behavior.

In earlier interviews, including with Al Jazeera in September, the security chief reaffirmed commitment to the late Supreme Leader’s fatwa prohibiting nuclear weapons, yet warned that continued American and Israeli aggression and pressure could lead Tehran to reconsider its membership in the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Iran has also consistently conditioned any return to talks on the full implementation of its seven demands, among them an end to hostilities on all fronts, release of frozen assets, and lifting of the naval blockade, while insisting that not a single gram of enriched material will leave the country.

Nuclear doctrine and public demands

Rezaei emphasized that the Iranian people have legitimate demands. He noted that the enemy has targeted Iran’s nuclear centers despite Tehran’s full cooperation with IAEA inspections and the confirmed peaceful nature of the program.

“When people see these realities, they ask why we should continue under the same conditions,” he explained. “There is a popular demand for changing the nuclear doctrine. The people of Iran have the right to express their demands, but the government has not yet made a new decision."

"The people of Iran see that despite peaceful nuclear activities, the enemy has bombed our nuclear facilities and attacked our country, so these demands are being formed,” he stated.

He reiterated that Iran remains a member of the NPT and will firmly pursue its rights in any nuclear discussions.

“We are members of the NPT and we have twenty-two rights, and if the resolution is on nuclear talks, we will demand our rights. We stand firmly for the rights of the people of Iran, and of course we also consider the issue of time. Now we are waiting for the answer from the Americans.”

Vance letter and US tone

On the letter from the US vice president, Rezaei confirmed: “I have studied the letter, but I have not yet answered it. The tone has completely changed and it is different from the previous one from Trump, and this is one of the signs of the power and victory of the Iranian nation.”

He declined to disclose further details of the letter’s content, noting that the American side had not made it public.

Diplomacy and conditions

On ongoing diplomacy, Rezaei reiterated that Iran will not negotiate until its conditions are fulfilled and a genuine change in the US approach is demonstrated.

“The recent diplomacy has been ongoing for more than a month. The Americans are insisting on negotiations, but we have said that we will not negotiate with you until our terms are fulfilled," he said.

"We declared that we should see a change in the pace of America, and the fulfillment of the seven conditions could be one of the signs of this change in pace,” he added.

Rezaei described previous American proposals as insufficient and ambiguous: “The Americans responded, but their response was not convincing. For the second time, they presented proposals that were more suitable than the first time, but they were doubtful and they intended to negotiate and then attack again. For the third time, they gave other suggestions that there is ambiguity, and now diplomacy is going on in this matter.”

Regarding differences with the earlier Islamabad memorandum of understanding, he noted that ambiguities, such as those concerning the management of the Strait of Hormuz, have been resolved in the seven conditions. “The Strait of Hormuz is not likely to be reopened unless Iran’s conditions are met.”

Regional security and the Tehran meeting

The security chief also addressed the recent quadrilateral meeting in Tehran, stating that the victories of the Iranian nation and the defeat of the United States have made clear that foreign powers cannot guarantee regional security.

He said the future security order of West Asia must be determined by the countries of the region themselves, and that the Tehran meeting marked the beginning of new arrangements free from external domination.

“At the four-way meeting in Tehran, all four sides firmly announced their positions against the Zionist regime, and it was decided that these meetings should continue and, inshallah, this meeting will be the beginning of modern arrangements in West Asia and the acquisition of security in the region by the countries of the region themselves,” he added.

Rezaei stressed that no regional security is possible without Iran, pointing to the country’s ability to withstand massive external pressure, including thousands of NATO sorties.

He underscored national unity behind the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the determination to end the war in a manner that deters any future aggression against Iran.

“We are determined to end the war in such a way that no one else dares to attack Iran, and we will stand firm and protect the rights of the Iranian nation,” he said.

“If America takes action, we will defeat it. If the enemy makes a mistake, he will be faced with a terrible attack and a proud defense.”

Broader context and national resilience

Referring to the statements of European countries, Rezaei pointed out: “The Chancellor of Germany expressed his happiness during the attack of the Zionist regime on Iran and said that the dirty work of the West is done by Israel. Now, Macron and even Zelensky admit that the economic crisis in Europe and the world is due to the American war against Iran, and now everyone is aware that if Iran suffers, the world will suffer.”

“Today, wherever Trump goes, he must answer why he started the war against Iran,” he said. “All this is due to the resistance and bravery of the people of Iran, and the world today is a witness to the great and influential capacity of the people of Iran."

"No family in America has not endured the pressure caused by the Iran war and this effect is felt throughout the world,” he added.

Rezaei further highlighted that the recent war has proven the full establishment of the nation-state in Iran over the past 47 years and the broad consensus among officials.

He called for continued resistance on the economic and cultural fronts alongside the military, noting a positive shift in global opinion toward Iran as a result of the Iranian people’s steadfastness.

The remarks come as Tehran continues to maintain its sovereignty and readiness, making clear that any future path will be guided by the rights and demands of the Iranian nation.