Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei addressed the nation through a written message on Thursday, stating he authorised the memorandum of understanding signed by Tehran and Washington, despite maintaining a different view on the deal.
Khamenei said he approved the proposed MoU after assurances from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials that Iran’s rights and the interests of the “Resistance Front” would be protected. He said he issued permission for the agreement after Pezeshkian, who is also the head of the Supreme National Security Council, and other officials accepted responsibility for protecting the rights of the Islamic Republic.
“As you have been informed, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the presidents of Iran and America. In the course of reaching this stage, the officials in charge, out of sincere concern and goodwill, made extensive efforts and, of course, it was the American president who, out of desperation, used all kinds of leverage to bring this about,” he said in the letter.
Khamenei added, “I, as a matter of principle, held a different view; however, out of the commitment that the esteemed president — as the head of the Supreme National Security Council — gave to me on his own behalf and on behalf of the other members regarding the safeguarding of the rights of the Iranian nation and the Resistance Front, and his explicit acceptance of that responsibility, I granted my permission.”
The Supreme Leader also stressed that the future face-to-face negotiations with the United States would not amount to accepting “the enemy’s position” and that Iran would not accept demands it considered excessive.
“It is obvious that the face-to-face negotiations that will be held in the future will not mean accepting the enemy’s point of view,” he said.
The peace agreement, signed by Trump and Pezeshkian, would kickstart a 60-day negotiation period during which both sides will hold discussions on broader issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme.
