Ayatollah Khamenei: Future Direct Talks Do Not Mean Accepting the Enemy’s Position
Iranian Supreme Leader says he approved the memorandum based on guarantees to protect the rights of Iran and the Resistance Front and will now await the fulfillment of its conditions.
Iran, PUREWILAYAH.COM – Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei stated that any future face-to-face negotiations between Iran and the United States do not mean accepting the enemy’s position, while emphasizing that his approval of the recently signed memorandum was based on commitments to safeguard the rights of the Iranian nation and the Resistance Front.
In a message addressed to the Iranian nation following the signing of the memorandum between the presidents of Iran and the United States, the Supreme Leader said Iranian officials had made significant efforts to reach this stage out of concern and good faith. He added, however, that it was the American president who, out of desperation, employed various forms of pressure and leverage in pursuit of the agreement.
Approval Based on Guarantees
The Supreme Leader revealed that he had initially held a different view regarding the memorandum.
“As a matter of principle, I held a different opinion,” he said.
“However, because of the commitment given to me by the respected president, in his capacity as head of the Supreme National Security Council, on behalf of himself and the other members regarding the safeguarding of the rights of the Iranian nation and the Resistance Front, and because he explicitly accepted responsibility for it, I granted permission.”
He also noted that President Masoud Pezeshkian had assured him that Iran would not submit to any excessive demands from the American side.
“The president has explicitly stated that if the American side seeks excessive demands, they will not yield to them,” he said.
Awaiting the Fulfillment of the Conditions
The Supreme Leader stressed that the next phase would be judged by whether the conditions attached to the memorandum are fulfilled.
“From this moment onward, we — meaning you, the proud nation, and this humble servant — will await the fulfillment of the stated conditions,” he said.
He then emphasized that any future direct negotiations should not be interpreted as political concessions to Washington.
“It is obvious that the direct negotiations that may take place in the future do not mean accepting the enemy’s viewpoint,” the Supreme Leader stated.
Prayer for Success and Victory
Concluding his message, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed hope that the prayers of Imam al-Mahdi (aj) would bring victories and successes to the Iranian nation.
“We hope that the blessed prayers of our Master, may Allah hasten his reappearance, will bring various victories and triumphs to the honorable nation of Iran,” he said.
The message was issued on 28 Khordad 1405, corresponding to June 18, 2026.
The Full Text Message
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
To the passionate and loyal nation of Iran,
As you have been informed, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the presidents of Iran and the United States of America. In the course of reaching this stage, the officials in charge, out of sincere concern and goodwill, made extensive efforts—and of course, it was the American president who, out of desperation, used all kinds of leverage to bring this about.
I, as a matter of principle, held a different view; however, out of the commitment that the esteemed president—as the head of the Supreme National Security Council—gave to me on his own behalf and on behalf of the other members regarding the safeguarding of the rights of the Iranian nation and the Resistance Front, and his explicit acceptance of that responsibility, I granted my permission. He also explicitly stated that if the American side seeks to make excessive demands, they will not submit to them.
From this moment on, we—that is, you, the proud nation, and this humble servant—will await the realization of the aforementioned conditions.
However, it is self-evident that the in-person negotiations that will take place in the future will not mean acceptance of the enemy’s position. We hope that the blessed prayers of our Master (may God hasten his noble reappearance) will bring all kinds of victories and triumphs to the honorable nation of Iran.
Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.
✍ Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei
June 18, 2026 (PW)