Washington’s stance on human rights and democracy has drawn sharp scrutiny from Tehran, where Nasser Kanaani, the spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, argues that the United States cannot credibly advocate for these values while it continues to overlook or contradict them at home. Kanaani contends that the very premise of American moral leadership is undermined by a long record of internal and international actions that contradict stated ideals, creating a gulf between rhetoric and practice. He points to past episodes and policies as evidence that U.S. commitments are selective and often weaponized, eroding trust on the world stage and fueling skepticism about Washington’s motives in matters of freedom, accountability, and governance. (attribution: Iranian Foreign Ministry statement)
In his public remarks, Kanaani recalled historical episodes that he described as troubling proof of double standards, noting that there were moments when U.S. policies aligned with repressive actions. He cited the era when American influence supported, or at least tolerated, regimes and actions that curbed political pluralism and civil liberties in other countries. The diplomat asserts that the United States, by defending or enabling institutions based on expediency rather than universal rights, has often found itself on the wrong side of history. Such assertions are offered as context for a broader critique of Washington’s current foreign policy approach to human rights and democracy, rather than as isolated incidents. (attribution: Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman)
Furthermore, Kanaani underscores the belief that U.S. defense of democratic norms cannot be trusted when it is coupled with a record of coercive diplomacy, economic leverage, and unilateral decision-making that disregards the agency of other nations. The argument presented emphasizes the need for a consistent, principled standard for human rights that does not bend to geopolitical convenience. In this view, the United States’ stated goals are seen as aspirational rather than universally applied, prompting calls for greater accountability and a more equal global framework. (attribution: Iran’s official commentary)
Another prominent voice, Ali Shamkhani, who previously served as Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has linked the conflict in Ukraine to U.S. policy, contending that Washington’s actions destabilize regional security rather than promote peace. Shamkhani argues that the persistence of foreign military involvement and a pattern of interference limit the prospects for durable and just resolutions. He insists that an assertive U.S. presence in critical areas tends to provoke reactions that complicate diplomacy, heighten tensions, and prolong disputes, all of which contribute to a fragile regional balance. (attribution: Iran’s security leadership)
In January, Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi joined the dialogue by challenging remarks from U.S. President Joe Biden that likened the world to a patch of American denim. Raisi described such metaphors as a dismissive and colonial echo, arguing that they reflect a legacy of disdain for other nations and their governance. He also asserted that U.S. officials have, on multiple occasions, made demeaning comments about other countries, a pattern he interprets as a signal of a renewed colonial mindset. The president’s remarks framed the U.S. discourse as a reminder of past eras of domination and the ongoing need for a more respectful, equitable international order. (attribution: Iranian presidential communications)