Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran's Supreme Leader, issued his first response to the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, calling President Trump's signing a move born of 'desperation,' according to i24NEWS. His remarks came as the Israeli i24NEWS bulletin also reported the IDF naming reservist Alexander Filin killed in southern Lebanon, Prime Minister Netanyahu's statement that Israel will not leave Lebanon, and U.S. envoy Vance urging restraint.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, released his first public statement on Wednesday regarding the recently signed U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU). The statement, published by i24NEWS on Thursday evening, characterized President Donald Trump's signing of the agreement as an act of 'desperation' — 'Trump signed the MOU out of desperation,' Khamenei said. The remark marks the first direct commentary from a member of the Supreme Leader's inner circle on the deal, which has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli officials who fear it will legitimize Iran's nuclear program and reduce U.S. pressure on Tehran.
Mojtaba Khamenei, widely seen as a potential successor to his father, rarely makes public political statements, lending weight to his characterization. The timing — as Israeli leaders continue to signal opposition to the deal's framework — underscores the ideological divide between Tehran and Jerusalem over the agreement.
As The Zioneer previously reported in its Thursday 14:24 bulletin, Israeli officials have warned that Trump's pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu over a withdrawal from southern Lebanon is expected to persist after the MOU. The new statement from Khamenei's son reinforces the perception in Jerusalem that the deal strengthens Iran's regional posture rather than curbing it.
The claim is from a single source (i24NEWS) and has not been independently corroborated. The full text and context of Khamenei's remarks remain limited to the report, and no official Iranian state media outlet has confirmed the statement as of this writing.
- StrongMojtaba Khamenei says he initially opposed US-Iran MOU, Pezeshkian convinced him to sign
- DevelopingSource: Mojtaba Khamenei to sign Iran deal only if Trump provides security umbrella
- ConfirmedMojtaba Khamenei issues full statement: approved US-Iran MOU, says he gave consent despite different view
- DevelopingIranian parliamentarian claims Khamenei son called for Security Council vote on US deal — only one opposed
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