Arash Azizi said Iran must normalize relations with the U.S. somehow to rescue its economy [1, 2].
The call for diplomatic realignment comes as the country faces severe financial instability following months of conflict with the U.S. and Israel [1, 2].
Azizi, a contributing writer at The Atlantic, said the remarks Sunday [1, 2]. The timing coincides with the second day of funeral ceremonies for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, where Iranian leaders gathered to hold prayers over his casket [1, 2].
According to Azizi, the Iranian economy is currently in tatters [1, 2]. He said the state of the economy makes a shift in foreign policy necessary to ensure national recovery [1, 2].
The current instability is the result of prolonged hostilities involving both the U.S. and Israel [1, 2]. This conflict has weakened the country's financial foundations, creating a situation where Azizi believes normalization is the only viable path toward stability [1, 2].
As the leadership transitions following the death of Khamenei, the pressure to address the failing economy remains a central concern for the state [1, 2].
“Iran needs to "normalise relations with the US somehow"”
The intersection of a leadership vacuum following the death of Ali Khamenei and a crippled economy creates a critical window for potential policy shifts. If the new leadership prioritizes economic survival over ideological conflict, the U.S. may find an opening for diplomatic negotiations that were previously impossible under the late Supreme Leader.
