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Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said in a series of posts on X/Twitter on Thursday that Iran will not submit to the "excessive demands" of the United States in future negotiations. Khamenei also defended his approval of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed this week, saying he had granted permission based on promises from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and the negotiating team.

"I, as a matter of principle, held a different view; however, out of the commitment that the esteemed president—as the head of the Supreme National Security Council—gave to me on his own behalf and on behalf of the other members regarding the safeguarding of the rights of the Iranian nation and the Resistance Front, and his explicit acceptance of that responsibility, I granted my permission," Khamenei said, as quoted by the Jerusalem Post.

Coverage Comparison

The Jerusalem Post focused on Khamenei's statement, reporting that he approved the MoU only after receiving promises from Pezeshkian and the negotiating team. The report noted that Khamenei argued "it was the American president who, out of desperation, used all kinds of leverage to bring this about." The article also quoted Khamenei as saying that in-person negotiations did not constitute acceptance of the American position.

ABC Australia's coverage highlighted the role of Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the parliamentary speaker and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who emerged as a key negotiator in the talks. The report described Qalibaf as an "authoritarian technocrat" whom analysts describe as "pragmatic, managerial and opportunistic," and noted that US President Donald Trump has praised the Iranian leadership as "smart."

An analytical piece from The Guardian examined the ideological implications of the deal, describing the moment as an "interregnum" given the invisibility of Iran's injured supreme leader. The report noted that Khamenei published a letter saying he opposed the deal in principle but had deferred to Pezeshkian after being given undertakings that if the US demanded too much, he would not accept.

Key Claims

  • The deal between the US and Iran was signed after more than 100 days of war, according to ABC Australia. The Guardian also referred to a 110-day war.
  • Qalibaf, who has been an outspoken critic of the US and Israel, was one of the chief negotiators for the Iranian side, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • Donald Trump has praised Qalibaf and Iran's leadership as "smart" and "far less radicalised," according to ABC Australia.
  • The deal includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and sanctions relief for Iran, as reported by The Guardian.
  • The Iranian leadership team is seen as "rational" by the US, according to The Guardian.
  • Khamenei approved the MoU based on promises from Pezeshkian and the negotiating team, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

Perspectives

Iranian Supreme Leader

Mojtaba Khamenei maintains that the US was desperate to secure the deal and that Iran will not submit to excessive demands in future negotiations. He says he approved the MoU only after receiving guarantees that Iran's rights would be protected.

US President Donald Trump

Trump has praised Iran's new leadership as "smart" and "far less radicalised," indicating a willingness to deal with them. He had previously spoken of a "new group of leaders" in Iran seeking a deal.

Analysts

Analysts quoted by ABC Australia describe Qalibaf as "pragmatic, managerial and opportunistic" and note his deep ties to the Supreme Leader, but also see him as a figure the US can negotiate with. The Guardian's analysis raises the question of whether the Iranian leadership represents a genuine shift toward pragmatism or remains committed to an ideological crusade.