Trump made a deal out of ‘desperation’ – Iranian supreme leader
US President Donald Trump pushed for a memorandum of understanding with Iran because he found himself in a dire situation, the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has said.
The 14-point document was signed remotely by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian late on Wednesday, and entered force with immediate effect, according to Pakistani mediators.
Tehran previously said that the MOU envisages a series of concessions by Washington, including the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iran, sanctions waivers for Tehran’s oil exports, access to frozen Iranian funds, and a US-backed economic reconstruction plan to the tune of at least $300 billion.
On Thursday, Khamenei commented on the signing of the agreement, stressing in a statement that it was “the US president who – out of desperation – resorted to various means to bring about this outcome.”
Fuel prices in the US went beyond $4 per gallon after Iran responded to the American-Israeli attack in late February by closing the Strait of Hormuz, while Trump’s approval ratings plummeted to a record low of 33%. Tehran vowed to reopen the key waterway, accounting for some 20% global crude trade, under the MOU.
Khamenei noted that he initially had “a different view” regarding the need for diplomacy with Washington, but “granted permission” for the deal to go ahead after Pezeshkian assured him that he will be able to safeguard Tehran’s interests during future talks.
The MOU launches a 60-day negotiation period, during which Washington and Tehran are expected to discuss Iran’s nuclear program.
According to the supreme leader, Pezeshkian also “stated explicitly that if the American side seeks excessive demands, they [Tehran’s negotiators] will not submit to them.”
“From this moment, we, the proud nation [of Iran], and I, your humble servant, will await the fulfillment of the conditions that have been stated,” Khamenei wrote.
Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, praised the supreme leader’s “wise and path-clearing message,” saying on Friday that by signing the MOU with Washington, it made clear that Tehran “only reached the beginning of a difficult and winding path” towards settling the conflict.
Trump had earlier slammed critics of the MOU, who claimed that it contained too many concessions to Iran, as being “jealous, bad people or stupid.” He also warned that if Tehran doesn’t honor its obligations under the deal, “we’ll probably go back to bombing them until they honor it.”
Russia welcomed the signing of the MOU, saying “it is highly important that all parties involved in the armed conflict… do not allow a renewed dangerous escalation” and expressing hope that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz would return to its pre-war levels, decreasing the volatility of global oil and food markets.
