Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday evening issued a formal statement confirming he authorized the memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and the United States, according to the text published by Iranian state media and analyst Yair Goldblatt. Khamenei said he held a "different opinion" in principle but approved the deal after President Pezeshkian and the Supreme National Security Council gave personal assurances regarding the protection of Iran's rights and the Resistance Front. He warned Iran "will not surrender to excessive demands" from the American side.
Mojtaba Khamenei confirmed Thursday evening that he authorized the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU), issuing a formal statement via state media in which he said he "held a different opinion" in principle but gave approval after receiving personal assurances from Iran's president and the Supreme National Security Council regarding the protection of Iran's rights and the Resistance Front. The confirmation — the first direct word from Iran's top authority — came minutes after The Zioneer and other outlets had reported, at 19:51 Jerusalem, that Khamenei issued a statement approving the deal with conditions. A follow-up letter published simultaneously shifted responsibility for implementation onto President Pezeshkian, citing a personal commitment Pezeshkian had given him.
The thread unfolded rapidly Thursday evening. At 19:51 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that Iranian state-aligned channels said Khamenei would issue a statement "within the hour" on the U.S. talks. Minutes later, the same timestamp, came the full approval statement — citing assurances from the Supreme National Security Council secretary — and a separate letter effectively pinning implementation on Pezeshkian. Earlier Thursday, The Zioneer reported at 06:22 that Trump and Iran's foreign ministry had confirmed the MoU's digital finalization. An Axios report, cited Thursday at 21:15 Jerusalem (Jun 11), had indicated Iran told regional states that an "in-principle" agreement was reached but still needed Khamenei's final sign-off — now provided. Throughout the day, conflicting signals had persisted: a spokesman questioned the signing format (00:56 Jerusalem), and earlier bulletins from The Zioneer and i24NEWS reported Khamenei's son describing Trump's signing as born of "desperation" (20:40 Jerusalem).
As The Zioneer reported in its earlier pieces, the MoU was formally signed Wednesday night at Versailles and in Tehran, with Trump and Iran's foreign ministry confirming the accord. The deal sets the stage for nuclear talks, as Foreign Minister Araghchi stated (per The Zioneer, Jun 16) those talks would begin the day the MoU is signed.
What remains open is the exact timeline for implementing the MoU's terms and the scheduling of direct talks. Khamenei warned that approval does not mean accepting "the enemy's position" and that Iran "will not surrender to excessive demands" in future face-to-face negotiations.
6 developments
- ConfirmedMojtaba Khamenei issues full statement: approved US-Iran MOU, says he gave consent despite different view
- DevelopingMojtaba Khamenei: Trump signed Iran MOU 'out of desperation'
- DevelopingIranian parliamentarian claims Khamenei son called for Security Council vote on US deal — only one opposed
- DevelopingSource: Mojtaba Khamenei to sign Iran deal only if Trump provides security umbrella
Source and signal
- Internal intake