Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister [AP Yonhap News Archive Photo]

Iran has announced that it has received approval from its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, for the interim ceasefire memorandum of understanding (MOU) tentatively agreed upon with the United States.

This is the first time the Iranian side has directly announced the Supreme Leader's approval of the agreement.

According to the U.S. daily The New York Times (NYT), Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in a televised speech broadcast nationwide on the 12th (local time) that the agreement with the United States has entered its final stage and has received approval from Iran's top leadership, including the Supreme Leader and the Supreme National Security Council.

Minister Araghchi said that this MOU will end conflicts on all fronts, including Lebanon, and that Iran and the United States will issue a written statement respecting each other's sovereignty and governance for the first time in 47 years.

Minister Araghchi further stated that as part of the ceasefire agreement, Israel is expected to withdraw from Lebanese territory and cease attacks on Lebanon.

He emphasized, "If all parties fulfill their commitments, negotiations for lasting peace can progress."

Minister Araghchi also announced that the signing of the ceasefire MOU will be conducted remotely, not in person.

In an interview program on Iran's state television, he said, "This agreement will be signed and announced as soon as the final stage of negotiations is completed. The signing will be digital and remote."

Araghchi added, "The agreement has never been closer than this. This could happen in the coming days. I am very hopeful."

However, Minister Araghchi presented a somewhat different argument than the United States regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Minister Araghchi stated, "The interim agreement with the United States will include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the cessation of multifaceted conflicts," but added, "The issue of control over the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war state."

He declared, "Sovereignty over the strait belongs to Iran and Oman, and Iran will ensure the safe passage of ships through the strait," announcing that a 'service fee' will be imposed for future passage through the strait.

In this regard, Minister Araghchi mentioned that Iran, along with the government of Oman, an adjacent country across the Strait of Hormuz, will soon issue a statement regarding the control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Previously, Iran had effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the war and announced its intention to impose transit fees on ships passing through it, a move the United States had unequivocally stated it could not tolerate.

Furthermore, Minister Araghchi emphasized, "(The U.S.) maritime blockade must be completely lifted. This is the first issue specified in the agreement."

Minister Araghchi also stated that the United States and Iran have agreed to proceed with nuclear negotiations after concluding the interim ceasefire MOU.

Appearing on an interview program on Iran's state television, he said, "Nuclear negotiations with the United States will take place in the next phase. (Nuclear negotiations) will not proceed as long as the proposed interim agreement is not implemented."

He also asserted that the only way to handle the enriched uranium possessed by Iran is to dilute it within Iran, indicating that they will not accept the transfer of enriched uranium outside the country, as demanded by the United States.

He claimed that Israel is attempting to sabotage the potential agreement with the United States, which is currently in its final stages.

Minister Araghchi sharply criticized, "Frankly, there are enemies to this agreement, and the Zionist regime (Israel), which is at the forefront, is looking for an excuse to nullify the agreement."

He also claimed that Iran has won against the United States in this war, assessing that Iran has become stronger through the war with the United States.