Iran "Ceasefire MOU Approved by Supreme Leader" (Comprehensive)

Iran has announced that it has received approval from its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, for the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on a ceasefire provisionally agreed with the United States. This is the first time Iran has directly revealed that the Supreme Leader has approved the terms of the agreement.

The New York Times (NYT) reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a nationally televised address on the 12th (local time) that the agreement with the United States has entered the final stage and that it has been approved by Iran's top leadership, including the Supreme Leader and the National Security Council.

According to the report, Minister Araghchi stated that this MOU will end conflicts on all fronts, including Lebanon, and that Iran and the United States will issue a written declaration to respect each other's sovereignty and governing authority for the first time in 47 years. He also emphasized, "Iran is the victor in the war against the United States."

This reflects the view that Iran has secured practical benefits through the war and ceasefire agreement with the United States, and has emerged as a stronger nation than before.

Minister Araghchi said, "As part of the war-ending agreement, we hope Israel will withdraw from Lebanese territory and halt its attacks on Lebanon," adding, "If all parties fulfill their commitments, negotiations for lasting peace can move forward."

Minister Araghchi also noted, "The signing of the ceasefire MOU will take place remotely, not in person," and added, "There has never been a moment when the agreement was this close. This could happen in the coming days. I am very hopeful."

However, Minister Araghchi presented a somewhat different stance from the United States on the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

He said, "The provisional agreement with the United States will include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the end of conflicts on multiple fronts," but also stated, "The management of the Strait of Hormuz will not return to the pre-war status."

He further stated, "Sovereignty over the strait belongs to Iran and Oman, and Iran will guarantee the safe passage of ships through the strait," announcing that a 'service fee' will be imposed for transit through the strait.

He emphasized, "Our sword will always hang over the Strait of Hormuz." This suggests Iran's intention to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz—a strategic chokepoint for one-fifth of the world's maritime energy transport—and use it as leverage against the United States if necessary.

Minister Araghchi also announced that Iran, together with the neighboring government of Oman across the Strait of Hormuz, will soon issue a statement regarding the control of the strait.

Previously, following the outbreak of war, Iran had effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz and announced plans to impose passage fees on ships passing through; the United States has said it cannot tolerate this.

Additionally, Minister Araghchi stressed, "(The U.S.) naval blockade must be completely lifted. This is the first item specified in the agreement."

He also said that after the ceasefire MOU is signed, the United States and Iran have agreed to continue nuclear negotiations.

Appearing on a debate program on Iranian state television, he said, "Nuclear negotiations with the United States will take place in the next stage," and added, "Unless the proposed provisional agreement is implemented, (the nuclear negotiations) will not proceed."

He also claimed that the only way to process Iran's enriched uranium is to dilute it within Iran, making clear that the country will not accept the U.S. demand to export it abroad.

He argued that Israel is currently trying to derail the potential agreement with the United States, which is in its final stages.

Minister Araghchi strongly criticized, "To be honest, there are enemies of this agreement, and at the forefront is the Zionist regime (Israel), which is looking for an excuse to sabotage the deal."

He also claimed that Iran has defeated the United States in the current war and has become stronger as a result of the conflict with the United States.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.