Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has disclosed that he initially held a different opinion on the recently signed memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington but ultimately gave his approval after receiving assurances from Iranian officials that the nation’s interests would be safeguarded.
In a statement carried by Iranian state media on Thursday, Khamenei said he granted permission after President Masoud Pezeshkian and other leaders pledged to protect “the rights of the Iranian nation and the resistance front” and accepted responsibility for the agreement.
Khamenei warned that Tehran would not accept additional demands from the United States. “If the American side wants to be greedy, they [Iran’s leadership] will not accept it,” he stated. However, he endorsed direct negotiations, noting that face-to-face talks “will not mean accepting the enemy’s opinion.”
Uncertainty remains over whether Iranian officials will attend scheduled talks in Switzerland on Friday to implement the agreement. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, citing a source, reported that Tehran had not yet made a final decision on sending a delegation. Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs indicated the talks were expected to proceed as planned.
The memorandum was electronically signed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Pezeshkian this week following a ceasefire agreement that aims to end hostilities that began after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28.
Technical Work Begins
U.S. Vice President JD Vance announced that a 60-day negotiating period had formally begun and that restrictions on maritime traffic to Iranian ports had been lifted. The negotiations will focus on sanctions relief and other contentious issues, including Israel’s military invasion of southern Lebanon and the future role of Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out a withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon for the foreseeable future. However, President Trump stated on social media that the U.S. expects a complete ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel.
The memorandum provides up to 60 days to reach a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), welcomed the deal and offered to assist with verification measures. “Now it’s for us to sit down with our American colleagues, our Iranian colleagues and start formulating the concrete steps that will have to be taken,” Grossi said.
Strait of Hormuz Reopens
As part of the agreement, Iran has moved toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route, while the U.S. has ended its naval blockade of Iranian ports. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council announced that commercial vessels would not be charged transit fees for 60 days, though ships must submit requests and follow designated routes for safety reasons.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American forces are no longer impeding vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports in the Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The easing of tensions prompted several countries to revise travel advisories. The United Kingdom lifted its warning against non-essential travel to parts of the Gulf, including the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation also lifted force majeure notices and said oil production would rise to two million barrels per day within a week as shipping resumes.