Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has confirmed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, describing the development as a result of American pressure rather than Iranian enthusiasm.
In a post addressing the agreement, Khamenei wrote, "As you have been informed, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the presidents of Iran and the United States of America."
He said Iranian officials had worked sincerely during the negotiations but claimed the push for a deal came primarily from Washington. "It was the American president who, out of desperation, used all kinds of leverage to bring this about," Khamenei wrote.
Reservations over the deal
Khamenei also revealed that he had reservations about the agreement from the outset. "I, as a matter of principle, held a different view," he said.
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According to Khamenei, he ultimately approved the process after receiving assurances from Iran's president regarding the protection of Iran's interests and those of the Resistance Front. He further stressed that Tehran would not accept demands beyond the terms already agreed upon.
"He also explicitly stated that if the American side seeks to make excessive demands, they will not submit to them," he wrote, while urging Iranians to wait for the conditions of the agreement to be fulfilled.
The full text of the message of Imam Sayyid Mojtaba Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, addressing the Iranian nation regarding the Memorandum of Understanding between the presidents of Iran and America, June 18, 2026 pic.twitter.com/9nSD2NfkVe
— Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei (@MKhamenei_ir) June 18, 2026
Agreement announced after G7 summit
The memorandum was signed during a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles following the conclusion of the G7 summit.
Macron announced the development on X, saying the accord "paves the way for lasting peace and allows the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz".
Although the formal signing ceremony had originally been planned for Switzerland on Friday, Tehran has confirmed that the scheduled Geneva meeting will still take place.
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Key provisions of the memorandum
The document, formally titled the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran," calls for an immediate and permanent end to military operations across all fronts, including in Lebanon.
Under the agreement, the US has committed to lifting its naval blockade of Iran within 30 days and withdrawing its forces from the vicinity of Iran within 30 days of a final deal.
Iran has agreed to use its best efforts to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels at no charge for 60 days. Both countries now have 60 days to negotiate the terms of a comprehensive final agreement.
FAQs:
What is the Iran-US memorandum of understanding?
It is a preliminary agreement outlining steps toward a broader final deal.
How long do Iran and the US have to reach a final agreement?
The two sides have 60 days to negotiate the terms of a comprehensive deal.
