Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds (Jerusalem) Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, says that negotiation with the United States means Iran’s “utter and complete surrender”, and that the Islamic Republic would never accept this “humiliation”.

During a meeting with the chiefs of police, while referring to U.S sanctions, Soleimani stated: “Through these sanctions, the enemy wants to drag us to the negotiation table, and that would mean out surrender.”

Soleimani continued: “The enemy is trying to use the two pressure levers of economic sanctions and disrupting national security to hurt us, and they use everything in their power to do so.”

Recently the United States designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization and Mike Pompeo called Soleimani a terrorist.

Ali Larijani, the speaker of the parliament also stated on Monday that negotiations with the United States while under sanctions and threats is a “strategic mistake” for the Islamic Republic.

These comments are being made at the same time as Foreign Minister Zarif’s trip to the United States has caused speculations about Iran’s willingness to negotiate.

Immediately after entering the United States, Zarif announced that he has been given authority by the Islamic Republic to negotiate about prisoner swap between the two countries, which received a cold reaction by the U.S officials.

In some circles within Iran. Zarif’s trip to the United States and the suggestion of prisoner swap are considered as signs of weakness.

The Trump administration recently revoked the sanction waivers for the customers of Iranian oil and announced its decision to reduce Iran’s oil export to zero. Iranian military and government officials have threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz if that happens.