Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has publicly endorsed the agreement aimed at ending the regional conflict in the Middle East, saying he approved the accord despite holding personal reservations about the memorandum signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and U.S. President Donald Trump.
The remarks marked Khamenei’s first public response since Tehran and Washington reached the memorandum of understanding intended to halt months of fighting that followed the outbreak of war earlier this year.
His statement was delivered Thursday in a message broadcast on Iranian state television.
In the address, Khamenei explained that while he disagreed with aspects of the agreement in principle, he ultimately authorized it after receiving commitments from Iran’s leadership regarding the protection of the country’s interests.
“In principle, I hold a different view regarding the memorandum of understanding, but I granted permission because of the commitment made by the honorable president, as chairman of the Supreme National Security Council, on behalf of himself and the other members, to safeguard the rights of the Iranian nation and the Axis of Resistance,” Khamenei said, without elaborating on the specific commitments.
He also commented on the role played by Trump in securing the agreement, arguing that the U.S. president had resorted to every available means to reach a deal because of mounting pressure.
Despite endorsing the diplomatic effort, Khamenei stressed that President Pezeshkian had assured him Iran would reject any arrangement that imposed excessive demands from Washington.
He also drew a clear distinction between continued diplomacy and political concessions.
“It is clear that any face-to-face negotiations that may take place in the future will not mean accepting the enemy’s point of view,” Khamenei said.
The statement carries particular significance because Khamenei has not appeared publicly since assuming Iran’s highest political and religious office in March 2026.
He succeeded his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28. His death became the catalyst for the regional conflict that has since spread across the Middle East.
The memorandum signed by Pezeshkian and Trump is intended as an initial framework to end the conflict while creating space for further negotiations on more contentious issues, including Iran’s long-term nuclear program and broader regional security arrangements.
Khamenei’s endorsement is expected to strengthen the Iranian government’s position as negotiations move into their next phase, while signaling that Tehran’s highest authority remains committed to protecting what it describes as Iran’s sovereignty and strategic interests throughout the diplomatic process.
