24.03.2026 10:40
Israeli media claimed that Iran's religious leader, Mujtaba Khamenei, instructed to negotiate with the U.S. and reach an agreement. While the claim, which has garnered significant public attention, has not been confirmed by Iran, the development was interpreted as a possibility for a return to diplomacy in Tehran.
The Israeli-based Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper claimed that Iran's religious leader Ali Khamenei's son Mojtaba Khamenei has instructed negotiations with the U.S. and reaching an agreement. The report stated that the increasing military pressure and economic difficulties within the Iranian administration have brought the search for a diplomatic solution back to the agenda.
According to the claim, Mojtaba Khamenei argued that a more pragmatic approach should be adopted, especially after the deepening conflicts with the U.S. and Israel and the escalation of tensions around the Strait of Hormuz into a global crisis. It was alleged that he expressed the need to open the way for direct or indirect contact with Washington.
CLAIM OF BALANCE SEEKING WITHIN IRAN
According to the newspaper, there are differences of opinion between hardliners and the diplomatic wing within the Iranian administration. Mojtaba Khamenei's statement was interpreted as a sign that the "negotiator" wing has gained strength in this division. However, these claims have not been confirmed by independent sources, and no official statement has come from Iran.
On the other hand, Iran has carried out retaliatory strikes targeting U.S. bases in the region while responding to attacks from the U.S. and Israel in recent weeks. The Tehran administration is sending messages that, while maintaining military deterrence, diplomatic channels are not completely closed amid increasing international pressure.
ENERGY CRISIS AND INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE ARE INFLUENTIAL
The tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and disruptions in oil shipments have shaken global energy markets, prompting many actors, especially the European Union, to openly call for negotiations with Iran. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also emphasized the importance of a diplomatic solution by stating that "it is time to return to the negotiating table."
These developments have led to comments suggesting that Iran may keep the door open for controlled diplomacy instead of proceeding entirely on a military line.
NO OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION
The claim reported in the Israeli press has not yet been confirmed by Iranian officials. Experts point out that Mojtaba Khamenei's influence in Iranian politics has increased, and they indicate that if such an instruction is confirmed, it could lead to a significant shift in Tehran's foreign policy.
U.S.-ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON IRAN
While negotiations between Tehran and Washington continue, Israel and the U.S. launched a military attack on Iran on February 28. Iran responded with attacks on targets it identified in some regional countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain, where U.S. bases are located, in addition to Israel.
In the U.S.-Israel attacks, many high-ranking officials, including Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, were killed. According to Iranian officials, the death toll from the U.S.-Israel attacks has exceeded 1,443, and the number of injured has surpassed 17,000.