Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, 30 June confirmed that the recently signed peace Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States was reached in full coordination with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and with the backing of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC). The statement, made during a visit to the central Iranian province of Qom, is the most direct official confirmation yet that Iran's highest authority sanctioned the diplomatic agreement.

What Pezeshkian Said in Qom

Speaking to officials in Qom, Pezeshkian stated that 'all stages of negotiations with the United States were pursued within the framework of the establishment's macro policies, in full and continuous coordination with the supreme leader, and within the context of the country's legal mechanisms,' according to a statement published on his office's official website. He added that despite prevailing security restrictions, the agreement's final text was reviewed by relevant Iranian authorities and secured the decisive endorsement of SNSC members.

Iran's Red Lines in Final Agreement Talks

Pezeshkian was unequivocal that the MoU marks the beginning, not the end, of a diplomatic process. He stressed that Iran will 'under no circumstances back down' from its people's rights, fundamental principles, and national interests as both sides move toward a final agreement — negotiations that are expected to centre primarily on Iran's nuclear programme and sanctions relief.

Notably, he framed Iran's approach as one of rational self-determination, stating the country responds to 'unreasonable boasting and unfounded threats' with 'rational decision-making and decisive, fearless self-defence.'

The MoU and What It Covers

On 18 June, Iran and the United States signed the MoU on ending hostilities in the region across all fronts, including Lebanon. Formal negotiations toward a final agreement have since commenced. Pezeshkian described the MoU as 'a great victory' for the Iranian people.

In a separate development on Monday, Pezeshkian posted on social media platform X that reaching a mutual understanding is 'a bilateral matter,' adding that if the United States honours the MoU, Iran will 'also fulfil our obligations.' He also announced that Iranian assets worth $6 billion currently held in Qatar will be released and returned to Iran.

Significance and What Comes Next

The explicit endorsement from the Supreme Leader's office is diplomatically significant. In Iran's constitutional structure, the Supreme Leader holds ultimate authority over foreign and security policy, meaning any deal without his backing would have been unenforceable. Pezeshkian's Qom remarks serve to consolidate domestic legitimacy for the agreement ahead of what are expected to be complex and sensitive final-status negotiations. This comes amid longstanding international scrutiny of Iran's nuclear programme and years of crippling economic sanctions. The path to a final agreement remains uncertain, but both sides have now formally entered the negotiation phase.