US-Iran deal: In his first public message since the US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed virtually by US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he had reservations about the draft agreement with the United States but ultimately approved after receiving assurances.
What did Mojtaba Khamenei say about Iran-US peace deal?
Mojtaba Khamenei, who was appointed Iran’s new Supreme Leader following the February 28 assassination of his father and former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli strike, said he received assurances from President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior security officials that Iran’s interests would be protected.
The 56-year-old cleric said he ultimately the authorised the 14-point agreement after President Pezeshkian and senior officials pledged to safeguard “the rights of the Iranian nation and the resistance front.”
“I had a different view regarding the MOU with the US, but due to the commitment of the Iranian president and other members of the Supreme National Security Council, I issued permission,” he said.
Khamenei warns US not to push Iran too far
In his message, the Supreme Leader also sought to reassure critics of the US-Iran MoU, stressing that future negotiations between Tehran and Washington would not amount to accepting American positions.
“Future in-person negotiations that are going to take place do not mean accepting the enemy’s point of view,” Khamenei said, even as he warned American negotiators not to push Tehran too far. “If the American side wants to be too demanding, we will not accept it.”
Khamenei’s remarks come as US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian virtually signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending hostilities between the two countries, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and launching a 60-day process to negotiate a final agreement on sanctions and Iran’s nuclear programme.
Vance says Iran ‘must comply fully’ to receive benefits
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday warned that Iran will be denied access to any benefits, including its frozen assets, under the digitally signed MoU unless they “comply fully and change their behavior.”
Addressing a presser at the White House, Vance said that compliance with the peace deal will provide Iran a “transformative relationship” in the Middle East, hailing it as a “win-win situation” for the US.
“You really have a win-win situation for the United States of America. If they do change their behavior, then they are going to have a transformative relationship with the Middle East, and the Middle East will have a transformative relationship with the people of Iran. That’s a win for the American people and for the president of the United States,” Vance said.
First published on: Jun 19, 2026 12:15 AM IST
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