Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday issued his first public message after the US-Iran draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed digitally. He explained his position on the agreement and explained why he ultimately approved it despite earlier reservations.

Mojtaba's first public message

In a written message, Mojtaba said he initially had concerns about the MoU with the United States. However, he approved it after receiving assurances from President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior security officials that Iran’s national interests would be protected. 

Why did he approve MoU?

“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,” Mojtaba said.

Mojtaba on future negotiations with US

He also addressed concerns about future negotiations with the US, saying they should not be seen as accepting Washington’s position. "If the American side seeks to make excessive demands, they will not submit to them. From this moment on, we—that is, you, the proud nation, and this humble servant—will await the realization of the aforementioned conditions," Mojtaba noted.

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Mojtaba further highlighted that reaching this stage involved extensive efforts by officials, who acted with what he described as sincere concern and goodwill. He added that US President Donald Trump, according to him, used various forms of leverage in an attempt to bring the agreement to this point. "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 added.

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Iran-US deal signing

The US and Iran released the text of an interim agreement their presidents have signed to end their war on Wednesday, with Trump threatening to resume attacks if Tehran failed to honour their commitments. Trump, attending the G7 with other leaders in France, also withdrew at least one of his stated rationales for attacking Iran in the first place, saying it would be "unfair" for Tehran not to have ballistic missiles, having previously ‌vowed to obliterate them.

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