By Gloria Ogbonna
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, revealed on Thursday that he approved the newly signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Iran and the United States despite harboring significant reservations about the agreement. According to Khamenei, his decision came only after receiving strong assurances from Iran’s senior leadership that the deal would protect the country’s interests and preserve its strategic objectives.
Speaking about the agreement, Khamenei said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other top government officials worked extensively to convince him that the framework would serve Iran’s national interests while safeguarding the priorities of what Tehran refers to as the “Resistance Front,” a network of regional allies and partners that Iran considers vital to its security strategy.
Khamenei emphasized that President Pezeshkian personally assured him that the agreement would benefit the Iranian people and strengthen the country’s position in future negotiations. According to the Supreme Leader, Pezeshkian pledged that Iran would not yield to external pressure and would reject any demands from Washington that exceeded the terms of the agreement or undermined Iran’s sovereignty.
While acknowledging his concerns, Khamenei said he ultimately authorized the memorandum after receiving commitments from senior officials that Iran’s rights, security, and long-term interests would remain protected throughout the negotiation process.
The Supreme Leader also addressed concerns among Iran’s hardline political factions, many of whom remain deeply skeptical of any engagement with the United States. Khamenei sought to reassure supporters that future direct talks with American officials would not represent a fundamental shift in Iran’s broader stance toward Washington.
He stressed that diplomatic engagement should not be interpreted as acceptance of U.S. policies or positions. Instead, he said Iranian negotiators would enter any future discussions with the goal of defending the country’s interests and securing favorable outcomes without compromising Iran’s principles.
According to Khamenei, face-to-face meetings with U.S. representatives would not mean accepting “the enemy’s position,” but rather would serve as a platform for advancing Iran’s objectives while maintaining the nation’s independence and strategic priorities.
The comments came shortly after President Donald Trump formally signed the U.S.-Iran peace agreement during a dinner at the historic Palace of Versailles. Two senior U.S. officials confirmed that the memorandum of understanding was finalized remotely on Wednesday evening, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signing the document from Iran.
The signing immediately activated the agreement’s provisions, marking a major diplomatic breakthrough after months of heightened tensions and military confrontations between the two countries.
At the heart of the memorandum is a commitment by both nations to halt all military hostilities and refrain from launching future attacks against one another. The agreement also includes mutual recognition of each country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, creating a foundation for broader diplomatic negotiations.
The framework establishes a 60-day negotiation period during which officials from both countries will work toward reaching a comprehensive and permanent peace agreement. During this period, negotiators are expected to address a range of complex issues, including regional security, economic cooperation, sanctions relief, and mechanisms to prevent future conflicts.
In addition to freezing military operations, the agreement includes provisions aimed at restoring stability to international shipping routes. The United States has agreed to phase out maritime restrictions affecting Iran, while both sides have committed to ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Persian Gulf and the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
The memorandum also creates a joint oversight and compliance mechanism designed to monitor implementation of the agreement and address any disputes that may arise during the negotiation process. Officials hope this structure will help build trust between the two countries while reducing the risk of misunderstandings that could threaten the ceasefire.
Supporters of the agreement view it as a significant opportunity to reduce tensions in the Middle East, improve regional stability, and create a pathway toward a lasting diplomatic settlement. Critics, however, remain cautious, noting that major differences still exist between Washington and Tehran and that the success of the framework will depend on both sides honoring their commitments over the coming weeks.
For now, the agreement represents the most substantial diplomatic opening between the United States and Iran in years, with leaders on both sides facing intense scrutiny as they work to transform the preliminary memorandum into a comprehensive and enduring peace accord.
Source Breitbart
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