Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said that U.S. President Donald Trump used “all sorts of levers” or “various levers” out of desperation to secure the recently signed U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding. The remarks came in a message to the Iranian nation following the agreement between Washington and Tehran.
According to Khamenei, he personally disagreed with the agreement in principle but ultimately approved it after receiving assurances from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other officials that Iran’s national interests and the interests of the so-called “Resistance Front” would be protected.
Key Takeaways
- Khamenei claimed Trump applied significant pressure and leverage to push the deal forward.
- He said he initially held a different view but authorized the agreement after receiving guarantees from Iran’s leadership.
- The memorandum opens a 60-day period for negotiations on a broader settlement between the two countries.
- The agreement includes provisions related to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing tensions following months of conflict.
Why It Matters
Khamenei’s comments highlight that even though Iran’s leadership has formally endorsed the agreement, there remain divisions within Tehran over the deal’s merits. At the same time, the remarks appear aimed at portraying Iran as negotiating from a position of strength while framing the United States as seeking a settlement due to strategic and economic pressures.
The agreement has also faced criticism from some U.S. lawmakers and Israeli officials, who argue that it may provide too many concessions to Iran, while supporters contend it could reduce the risk of a wider regional conflict.
Bottom line: Khamenei approved the U.S.-Iran agreement but publicly emphasized that he did so reluctantly, claiming Trump relied on “all kinds of leverage” out of desperation to bring the deal across the finish line.
