Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran's Supreme Leader, said Thursday that he initially opposed the memorandum of understanding with the United States but was persuaded to sign by President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a statement carried by Iranian media. The remarks offer the first detailed account of his decision-making process since approving the deal.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran's Supreme Leader, issued a statement Thursday evening providing the most detailed explanation yet of his decision to approve the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding. In his remarks, carried by Iranian media, he stated that he initially opposed the agreement but was persuaded to sign by President Masoud Pezeshkian and the Supreme National Security Council, who gave personal assurances regarding the protection of Iran's rights and the Resistance Front. This account follows a rapid sequence of bulletins from The Zioneer, each adding a layer to the story: at 19:51 Jerusalem, the desk reported first that Khamenei was expected to issue a statement within the hour, and then that he had confirmed his approval while citing a 'different opinion'; a third item at the same timestamp noted he had shifted responsibility for implementation onto Pezeshkian; and a fourth reported his claim that President Trump signed out of 'desperation'. The current statement effectively credits Pezeshkian directly for the shift in Khamenei's position.
The evolution of corroboration across the thread is notable. Initial reports Thursday relied on a single analyst, Yair Goldblatt, citing Iranian state-aligned channels. Within minutes, state media themselves carried Khamenei's formal text, and the account was confirmed by multiple newsrooms through the same official channel. The desk's earlier bulletins already established that Khamenei's approval was required—Axios reported on Thursday that Iranian officials had told regional states an 'in-principle' agreement needed his OK, and President Trump said on Thursday he had been told Khamenei agreed to the deal. The New York Times reported that Khamenei had approved the final MOU text Saturday, according to Iranian officials.
As The Zioneer has reported throughout the thread, the deal's path remains politically sensitive inside Iran. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said Thursday that a public signing ceremony by the presidents of both states is under consideration, but no final decision has been announced. What remains open is whether and when such a ceremony will take place, and whether the deal will withstand opposition from hardliners within Iran's decision-making apparatus.
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