Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has said he approved a US-brokered agreement signed by President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian despite expressing reservations.
The agreement, which also involves mediation efforts linked to French President Emmanuel Macron, sets in motion a 60-day process for wider negotiations between Washington and Tehran, including discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Khamenei, who assumed leadership after the death of his father Ali Khamenei in an airstrike earlier in the conflict, said he authorised the deal to uphold commitments made by Iranian officials, even though he held a “different view”.
The accord follows a period of heightened tensions that saw military escalation in the Middle East and disruptions in key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz. US Vice President JD Vance said technical negotiations would continue, with further talks expected in Switzerland.
Oil markets reacted to the announcement with prices falling, while maritime activity in the Gulf began to resume cautiously. However, both sides have signalled uncertainty over whether the agreement will hold long term.
Officials from both countries have indicated that future face-to-face negotiations remain possible, but no final timeline has been confirmed.