Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated Wednesday evening that the decision on war or negotiation lies with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Supreme National Security Council, and that everyone must comply. The remarks reaffirm the supreme leader's ultimate authority over strategic choices amid ongoing tensions, according to Iranian state-aligned media.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday evening that the decision on whether to pursue war or negotiation rests solely with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Supreme National Security Council, and that all must comply. The statement, reported by Iranian state-aligned channels, reaffirms a core tenet of the Islamic Republic's governance: the supreme leader holds the final word on matters of war and peace—not the elected president. Pezeshkian's framing comes amid a multi-week period of heightened regional tensions, with conflicting signals from Tehran over the status of US-Iran talks mediated by Pakistan. The president's remarks appear designed to manage public expectations and signal internal discipline: while the diplomatic track remains open, the ultimate authority to decide its outcome—or to pivot to military escalation—remains with Khamenei's circle. No immediate operational implications were announced, and the statement does not indicate any imminent decision. As The Zioneer has reported in recent days, multiple Iranian officials have offered varying degrees of bellicosity and openness to negotiation, but Wednesday's message clarifies the institutional hierarchy that governs any final choice.
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- Internal intake