Iran's Supreme Leader Explains Decision to Back US Agreement Amidst Personal Reservations

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, announced on Thursday that he had given his approval for a deal with the United States to bring an end to the Middle East war, despite holding a differing view on the matter.

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He revealed that his decision to grant permission was based on assurances from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who serves as the chairman of the Supreme National Security Council, to safeguard the rights of the Iranian nation and the Resistance Front.

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Khamenei's statement, which was read out on state television, marked his first public reaction to the Iran-US deal aimed at ending the conflict, an agreement that was signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

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This message from Khamenei comes after he has been out of the public eye since taking office in March, following the death of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the US-Israeli strikes on Iran that occurred on February 28 and sparked the regional war.

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According to Khamenei, President Trump had utilized "all kinds of levers" to secure the deal, driven by desperation, and Khamenei had received assurances from Pezeshkian that the deal would not be accepted if the American side made excessive demands.

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Khamenei further emphasized that any future face-to-face negotiations would not imply acceptance of the enemy's viewpoint, making it clear that Iran's stance would remain firm.