Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei approved the U.S.-Iran agreement despite reservations, giving political backing to an interim memorandum as negotiations moved forward in Switzerland.

In a written message issued Thursday, June 18, 2026, Khamenei said he authorized the memorandum after President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials assured him that Iran’s rights and the interests of what Tehran calls the “Resistance Front” would be protected.

Mojtaba Khamenei Backs US-Iran Agreement With Conditions

Khamenei said Pezeshkian, who heads Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, had accepted responsibility for protecting the country’s interests under the memorandum.

The Iranian leader also said Tehran should not yield if Washington makes what he described as excessive demands. He added that direct negotiations with the United States would not mean Iran had accepted Washington’s position.