Khamenei Relative Slams Opponents of US MOU as Pezeshkian Defends Negotiation Process

14/06/2026

Khamenei Relative Slams Opponents of US MOU as Pezeshkian Defends Negotiation Process

TEHRAN, June 14: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said decisions regarding the country's war policy and negotiations with the United States are ultimately made by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), stressing that all political factions are obligated to follow those decisions.

Speaking during a meeting with media officials, Pezeshkian criticized attacks on Iran’s negotiating team and said it was regrettable that some critics had accused negotiators of “treason” or “selling out the country” amid discussions over a potential agreement with Washington.

The president also sought to clarify the role of state media in shaping public perceptions of the negotiations, saying commentary aired on Iranian state television does not necessarily represent the positions of the Supreme National Security Council, the Supreme Defense Council, or guidance issued by Khamenei.

His remarks come amid growing debate within Iran over a proposed memorandum of understanding with the United States aimed at ending the current conflict and establishing a framework for future relations.

Separately, Mohammad-Hossein Khoshvaght, a relative of Iran’s supreme leader, criticized opponents of the proposed agreement, arguing that key state institutions had already reviewed the matter under the supervision of the country's leadership.

In a post on X, Khoshvaght said military and security commanders, representatives of the leadership, the president, and the foreign minister had examined the proposed memorandum within the Supreme National Security Council framework and reached conclusions based on Iran’s national interests.

He questioned why some individuals continued to oppose the agreement, suggesting their position aligned with that of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a vocal critic of negotiations with Tehran.

The comments highlight continuing divisions within Iran over negotiations with the United States, even as senior officials emphasize that final decisions rest with the country's highest leadership and security institutions.