‘Honourable President Gave Me Commitment’: Khamenei Says He Approved Trump-Iran Deal Despite Reservations

Published 18 June 2026 · world

‘Honourable President Gave Me Commitment’: Khamenei Says He Approved Trump-Iran Deal Despite Reservations Published By, Last Updated: June 18, 2026, 23:28 IST Mojtaba Khamenei said

‘Honourable President Gave Me Commitment’: Khamenei Says He Approved Trump-Iran Deal Despite Reservations Published By, Last Updated: June 18, 2026, 23:28 IST Mojtaba Khamenei said he had "a different opinion" regarding the memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached with Washington. Rapid Read Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he initially held reservations about the recently concluded agreement between Iran and the United States but ultimately authorized it after receiving assurances from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior officials that Tehran’s interests would be protected. Speaking about the agreement, Mojtaba Khamenei said he had “a different opinion" regarding the memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached with Washington but decided to grant permission after what he described as commitments made by the Iranian president. “I had a different opinion," Mojtaba Khamenei said, adding that he approved the agreement following “the commitment that the honorable President gave me." In a message published by Iranian state media, Khamenei said officials involved in the negotiations had worked toward the agreement out of “sincere concern and goodwill," while claiming that US President Donald Trump had used “all kinds of leverage" to secure the deal.

The Iranian Supreme Leader said President Pezeshkian, acting in his capacity as head of Iran’s Supreme Security Council, personally assured him that the rights of the Iranian nation and the “Resistance Front" would be protected. According to Mojtaba Khamenei, the Iranian President and other officials explicitly accepted responsibility for safeguarding those interests, a commitment that ultimately persuaded him to authorize the agreement. Mojtaba Khamenei also said Pezeshkian assured him that Iran would not submit to any “excessive demands" from Washington during future negotiations. While expressing cautious support for the process, the Iranian Supreme Leader stressed that upcoming face-to-face talks with US officials should not be interpreted as acceptance of the American position. “From this moment on, we- that is, you, the proud nation, and this humble servant- will await the realization of the aforementioned conditions," Mojtaba Khamenei said.

The agreement emerged as the foundation for a broader effort to end months of military confrontation between Tehran and Washington. Under the framework, the two sides have entered a 60-day negotiation period focused on nuclear, security and technical issues, with the goal of reaching a comprehensive peace settlement. Implementation of the deal has already begun as the United States lifted its naval blockade on Iranian ports and coastal areas, while Iran has committed to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring commercial shipping to pre-war levels. US Vice President JD Vance described the agreement as an initial step toward a lasting settlement and confirmed that additional understandings between the two sides exist beyond the publicly disclosed framework. Delegations from Washington and Tehran are expected to continue negotiations in Switzerland in the coming days. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Iran First Published: June 18, 2026, 23:28 IST News world ‘Honourable President Gave Me Commitment’: Khamenei Says He Approved Trump-Iran Deal Despite Reservations Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.