Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has secretly written to his negotiators, demanding an immediate halt to peace talks with the United States. The classified letter, read aloud on live television by a hardline MP, has ignited a political firestorm in the Islamic Republic.
Secret Letter Revealed on Live TV
Mahmoud Nabavian, deputy chair of Iran's national security council, broke ranks during a weekend broadcast on Sima, the state-controlled broadcaster. He claimed the letter, penned by Khamenei himself, accused the Iranian delegation of overstepping their authority by reaching an agreement with Washington against his explicit instructions. Nabavian read: "What was agreed upon in the Pakistan talks is completely different from what was supposed to happen and was a condition for the legitimacy of the talks, and the talks must be stopped."
The broadcast was abruptly cut, and the state broadcaster later announced legal action and the resignation of one of its directors. A spokesperson for the Iranian peace delegation later dismissed the letter as old and distorted, according to The Guardian.
Khamenei's Non-Negotiable Terms
The Supreme Leader reportedly set 11 non-negotiable conditions for any agreement, including financial compensation for war damages from the United States, the lifting of sanctions, and the unfreezing of Iranian assets. He also demanded that Iran retain its right to enrich uranium and maintain full sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
Khamenei, who succeeded his father in March amid the Iran-US war, has previously criticized President Donald Trump's negotiating tactics, accusing him of using "all kinds of leverage" out of desperation. Despite allowing a Memorandum of Understanding to proceed after assurances from President Masoud Pezeshkian, Khamenei warned that future in-person negotiations would not mean acceptance of the enemy's position.
Political Fallout and Delegation Response
The revelation has deepened tensions within Iran's leadership. Nabavian's move, described as a radical breach of protocol, has triggered calls for accountability. Meanwhile, the US vice president, JD Vance, was seen arriving at negotiations in Switzerland, underscoring the high stakes of the talks.
An unnamed Iranian politician confirmed the letter's authenticity, stating that Khamenei lashed out at officials for overstepping their authority. The incident highlights the fragile state of US-Iran relations as both sides seek a long-term peace treaty.
