Iran's Supreme Leader Acknowledges US Agreement Amidst Claims of American Desperation

Iran and US Sign Key Memorandum of Understanding

On Thursday, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, confirmed the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the United States, attributing the agreement to American "desperation" rather than enthusiasm from Iran. In a social media post, Khamenei stated, "As you have been informed, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the presidents of Iran and the United States of America." He emphasized that while Iranian officials worked diligently towards the agreement, it was the US that showed greater eagerness. He remarked, "It was the American president who, out of desperation, used all kinds of leverage to bring this about." Khamenei also noted that future negotiations with the US would not imply acceptance of their stance.

Initially, Khamenei expressed opposition to the deal, stating, "I, as a matter of principle, held a different view." However, he later approved the agreement after receiving assurances from Iran's president regarding the protection of Iranian rights and the so-called "Resistance Front." He warned, though, that if the US were to act greedily, Iran would not accept the agreement.

The memorandum was signed during a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles, following the G7 summit. Macron announced the agreement on X, describing it as a step towards lasting peace and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. A formal signing ceremony was initially planned for Switzerland on Friday, but Tehran confirmed that the Geneva meeting would still proceed. The document is officially titled the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran." Its provisions mandate an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations across various fronts, including Lebanon.

The United States has pledged to lift its naval blockade of Iran within 30 days, with expectations for commercial shipping to return to pre-war levels during this timeframe. Additionally, Washington has agreed to withdraw its forces from areas near Iran within 30 days of finalizing the agreement. In return, Iran has committed to ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels free of charge for 60 days. The memorandum allows for a 60-day period for both parties to negotiate the terms of a comprehensive final agreement.