Khamenei, in written statement, okays MOU, says talks with US do ‘not mean accepting its views’

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei purportedly says he has authorized a memorandum of understanding signed by the Iranian and US presidents after receiving assurances from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials that Iran’s rights and the interests of the “Resistance Front” would be safeguarded.

Khamenei, who was appointed supreme leader in March, was injured in the strike that killed his father and predecessor on February 28 and hasn’t been seen or heard publicly since. In a written message to the Iranian nation, Khamenei says Pezeshkian, in his capacity as head of the Supreme National Security Council, has accepted responsibility for ensuring the agreement protects Iran’s interests and pledges not to yield if Washington makes what he described as excessive demands.

He says future talks with the United States will be held directly but do not mean “accepting its views.”

“It is obvious that the face-to-face negotiations that will be held in the future will not mean accepting the enemy’s point of view,” Khamenei says.