The leak of an audio recording in which Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif
discusses the power of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the role of former Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US attack, has left Zarif's image severely damaged.
At a time of crucial importance for both Iran and the West in general, the emergence of this audio could damage the Islamic Republic's negotiating position during the Vienna talks, whose main objective is a return to the US-Iran nuclear deal.
Iran has demanded the lifting of economic sanctions as the main requirement for a return to the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action).