Khamenei: I agreed to the memorandum of understanding with guarantees from Bezhshikian

SadaNews - The Iranian leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, stated that his approval of the memorandum of understanding signed with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump came based on a commitment from Iranian President Masoud Bezhshikian, in his capacity as head of the Supreme National Security Council, to safeguard the rights of the Iranian people and the "Resistance Front," emphasizing that the upcoming direct negotiations with Washington do not imply acceptance of the "enemy's views."

In a message addressed to the Iranian people, Khamenei mentioned that he had, "in principle, another opinion" regarding the memorandum of understanding, but he authorized proceeding with it after Bezhshikian's commitment, on behalf of himself and all members of the Supreme National Security Council, to preserve the rights of Iran and its allies, and to bear responsibility for that.

Khamenei added that Bezhshikian assured him that Tehran would not yield to any "excessive demands" from the U.S. side if it attempted to exceed the limits of the understanding. He stated that the Iranian people and leadership will now await the realization of the conditions agreed upon.

The Iranian leader emphasized that the upcoming in-person negotiations do not mean acceptance of the "enemy's views," referring to the United States.

Khamenei stated that Iranian officials have made significant efforts to reach this stage "out of concern and good intentions," considering that the U.S. president used "various pressure tools" out of necessity to reach the understanding.

Khamenei has not appeared publicly since his appointment as leader of Iran in early March. His health status remains uncertain, and the extent of his actual power remains ambiguous, but Washington asserts that he has been playing a more active role in governance and negotiations.