“A different view”, but Khamenei supports the US deal, signals personal talks with the US | Today’s news
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said on Thursday (June 18th) that he approved the deal between Iran and the US to end the war in the Middle East, despite having a “different opinion” on the memorandum of understanding.
“In principle, I had a different opinion (on the memorandum of understanding), but I gave the permission because of the commitment that the honorable (Iranian) president… gave me,” he said in a statement read on state television.
He added that the commitment aims to protect “the rights of the Iranian people and the Resistance Front”.
The remarks mark Khamenei’s first reaction to the agreement signed between US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to end the conflict that escalated in February.
According to the report, Khamenei said Trump “used all kinds of leverage” to push through the deal, describing the move as driven “out of desperation.”
Warning of future pressure in negotiations
Khamenei emphasized that Iran will not accept excessive demands in future talks with Washington.
He said he had received assurances from President Pezeshkian that the deal would not be accepted “if the American side wants to make excessive demands.”
“It is clear that the face-to-face negotiations that will take place in the future will not mean accepting the enemy’s point of view,” he said.
Signals of direct talks with the US
In a separate statement read on state media, Mojtaba Khamenei said future Iran-US talks would be held directly, but clarified that involvement would not mean accepting US positions.
“It is clear that the face-to-face negotiations that will take place in the future will not mean accepting the enemy’s point of view,” he said.
No public appearances since the conflict escalated
Iran’s supreme leader has not been seen in public since the outbreak of war in February following reports of internal instability and leadership changes during the conflict period.
