Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei says he approved the US-Iran peace memorandum despite holding a different view, while insisting Tehran will not yield to excessive American demands.
File image: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei | ANI
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has publicly backed the newly signed peace memorandum between Tehran and Washington, saying he approved the agreement despite holding reservations about the move.
The remarks come after US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending hostilities and opening the way for future negotiations. Khamenei said his approval was based on assurances from Iran’s leadership that the country’s rights would be protected and that Tehran would not yield to any demands it considered excessive.
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In a statement, Khamenei said he had initially disagreed with the approach but ultimately gave his consent after receiving commitments from Pezeshkian and members of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
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“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,” he said.
Khamenei added that Pezeshkian had assured him that Iran would not submit if the United States attempted to impose conditions beyond the agreed framework.
The Iranian leader also claimed that President Trump had employed every available lever to bring about the understanding between the two countries.
“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,” Khamenei said.
Khamenei said the next phase would depend on how the terms of the agreement are implemented. He stressed that future face-to-face negotiations should not be interpreted as acceptance of Washington’s position.
“From this moment on, we-that is, you, the proud nation, and this humble servant-will await the realisation of the aforementioned conditions,” he said.
He added that upcoming negotiations would not amount to accepting the “enemy’s position.”
Responding to the agreement, US Vice President JD Vance said Washington would closely monitor whether Iran honours its commitments under the next stage of President Trump’s peace plan.
Speaking during a briefing, Vance said Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities had been severely degraded.
“On the military side, a couple of things that are still true and will be true whether the Iranians comply with the rest of the deal or not. Number one, their nuclear program has been completely destroyed,” Vance said.
He further claimed that Iran’s enrichment facilities and its capacity to develop a potential nuclear weapon had been eliminated, adding that the country’s ability to threaten neighbouring states had been significantly reduced.
“And now we see whether they are willing to comply with the next step of the president’s peace plan,” he said.
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