Pezeshkian vows to safeguard Iran's rights

TABNAK, Jun. 19 - The Iranian president welcomed a message from Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei on an MoU with the US on ending the war, saying the message clarified the responsibilities of institutions involved in diplomacy and protecting national interests.

News ID: 7508

Date: 19 June 2026 - 14:24

“The clarifying and explicit message of the Supreme Leader addressed to the passionate and loyal nation of Iran outlined the responsibilities of all elements influencing the upcoming negotiation process,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said in his message on Thursday night.

Praising the Leader for his kind attention to the compassionate efforts and positive intentions of the responsible officials, and his issuance of permission to begin negotiations aimed at securing benefits for the Iranian nation, the president said the Leader’s attention has brought satisfaction and contentment to all servants of the Iranian people.

“It is evident that I, as president and chairman of the Supreme National Security Council, together with the other members of this council, consider ourselves committed to giving maximum attention to His Eminence’s concerns and to safeguarding the rights of the Iranian nation and the Resistance Front,” Pezeshkian stated.

“Without doubt, the red line for officials is the national interests and preserving the dignity, honor, and strength of the noble Iranian nation. With the negotiating team’s utmost attention to the details of the talks and with firm hope in the grace and support of Almighty God, a great victory will be achieved, God willing,” he added.

The message came after Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei issued a statement on Thursday evening concerning the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States.

In that message, the Leader said he had authorized the signing of the agreement because of commitments made by government officials to protect the rights of the Iranian nation and the Resistance Front.

Addressing the public, he said a memorandum of understanding had been signed between the presidents of Iran and the United States and noted that Iranian officials had made extensive efforts to reach that stage, while arguing that the US president had resorted to various pressure tools out of desperation.

The Leader added that although he had initially held a different view, he granted permission after receiving assurances from President Pezeshkian, in his capacity as chairman of the Supreme National Security Council, and other council members that they would safeguard Iran’s rights and reject excessive American demands. He also emphasized that any future face-to-face negotiations would not mean accepting the enemy’s position.

The 14-point MoU was signed remotely in the early hours of Thursday by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump, who was attending the G7 summit in France. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who mediated the months-long diplomatic effort, also signed the memorandum and announced that the agreement took effect immediately.