Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has authorized direct talks with the United States for the first time, issuing a written statement that gives negotiators the green light to head to Switzerland. A first round of negotiations is planned for Friday or Saturday, according to Axios. The move follows the signing of a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU), which one Republican senator called the “worst foreign policy blunder in decades.”
Khamenei's public response, posted on his Telegram channel, marks his first comments since the MOU was signed. In the statement, he stressed that the authorization "does not signify acceptance of the enemy's views." The supreme leader, who has not been seen or heard publicly since being wounded in an Israeli strike on his father's residence, said he opposed the agreement but approved it at the recommendation of President Masoud Pezeshkian and the Supreme National Security Council.
According to Axios, Iranian negotiators had been waiting for Khamenei's explicit approval before proceeding to talks. The supreme leader noted that President Pezeshkian and the council had given commitments to "safeguard the rights of the Iranian nation and the Axis of Resistance." Defense News reported that one Republican senator blasted the deal as a major diplomatic failure, though the specific senator and their chamber were not named.
The deal represents a significant shift in U.S.-Iran relations, potentially opening the door to broader diplomatic engagement. Direct negotiations could address ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear program and its regional influence. However, the political fallout in Washington suggests the agreement faces strong opposition from Republican lawmakers, who may seek to block or undermine implementation.
The supreme leader's conditional endorsement adds complexity: while he authorized the talks, his explicit skepticism could limit how much flexibility Iranian negotiators have. "Based on the commitment given to me by the honorable President... to safeguard the rights of the Iranian nation," Khamenei wrote, suggesting that any final agreement would need to meet his red lines on security and regional influence.