Wendy Sherman: Iran is a "Culture of Resistance," Won't Surrender National Pride

Tehran - BORNA - Sherman, who led the U.S. negotiating team for the 2015 JCPOA, analyzed the current state of Tehran-Washington negotiations and the Trump administration's approach in an interview with Chris Stirewalt on "The Hill Sunday."

Highlighting the historical and cultural origins of Iran’s steadfastness, Sherman stated: "Iran is a culture of resistance. You have to realize that Iranians endured eight years of the Iran-Iraq war. Even when they were really under heavy blows, they remained persistent. Resistance is part of their culture."

Sherman further elaborated on Iran’s behavior at the negotiating table, noting: "Iranians may come to the table, but they do not give up things they believe are part of their national pride. This belief includes the right to enrichment and having a missile program. Negotiating with them is very difficult, but it must be continued; you cannot finish the job in a day."

The former senior official, who has previously acknowledged Iran’s mistrust of U.S. negotiators, pointed to Tehran's regional capabilities: "Iran holds control over the Strait of Hormuz. They seek to maintain this leverage. The blockade announced by the U.S. President against this strait will certainly face a reaction from Iran, carrying the risk of rising oil prices and conflict with Persian Gulf Arab countries."

Criticizing the Trump administration’s "ultimatum-based" and bullying approach, Sherman remarked: "Saying in one day that you either accept our proposal or nothing else is not called negotiation. This is a constant effort to force Iran to surrender. But Iran will not surrender. Negotiation means you bargain."

She expressed hope for a return to the negotiating table, warning that attempting to forcibly remove uranium from Iran is a "high-risk mission" that could cost American lives.

In response to a question regarding the possibility of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, the veteran diplomat claimed: "It seems they might decide they need nuclear weapons for deterrence against future attacks. Such a decision would present the world with several more North Koreas."

These remarks come as Iranian leaders have repeatedly emphasized that Iran has no agenda to acquire nuclear weapons. Iran's late Supreme Leader had also issued a religious decree (fatwa) declaring nuclear weapons forbidden (haram).

Sherman’s explicit admission that enrichment and the missile program are "part of national pride" underscores a growing recognition among veteran U.S. diplomats that such strategic assets are non-negotiable pillars of Iran's national sovereignty.

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