Deal at the Brink: The Supreme Leader's Last-Minute Hesitation
According to a New York Times report citing four officials familiar with the details, the U.S.-Iran preliminary ceasefire agreement was nearly derailed at the final moment due to hesitation from Iran's ultimate decision-maker, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The deal, aimed at easing regional tensions, stalled at the highest echelons of power in Tehran.
The President's Emergency Appeal and "Ultimatum"
At the critical juncture, Iranian President Pezeshkian personally visited Khamenei. In their meeting, the president did not shy away from the harsh realities facing the nation. He stated bluntly that the U.S.-led maritime blockade was severely strangling Iran's economy, pushing the country toward a precipice. Sources indicate that Pezeshkian conveyed to the Supreme Leader that if the deal were rejected, he would have no choice but to tender his resignation. This statement transformed internal economic governance pressures into an immediate political crisis at the top level.
The Central Banker's Warning: Empty Coffers, Dwindling Supplies
Simultaneously, another crucial assessment reached Khamenei. Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati wrote to the Supreme Leader, outlining the dire state of national finances with stark data. The letter warned of a severe budgetary crisis, noting that critical supply chains for essential food and medical supplies were on the verge of collapse due to the ongoing blockade, with stocks projected to run out by the end of August.
Hemmati further analyzed in the letter that Iran currently could not export oil at the required scale through normal channels, nor could it establish alternative trade routes to circumvent sanctions in the short term. This sober assessment from the top economic technocrat provided urgent and concrete backing for the president's political arguments.
Pressure Works: The Supreme Leader's "Principled" Concession
The combined pressure from the head of the executive branch and the chief financial officer ultimately swayed the decision. Khamenei later responded with a brief public statement. He first expressed that he was "in principle" opposed to the agreement, but then pivoted, setting a key condition: if the president could secure the support of the Supreme National Security Council, he would instruct him to proceed with the deal.
Overwhelming Council Approval and Deal Finalization
The Supreme National Security Council convened swiftly thereafter. President Pezeshkian subsequently announced that the council had approved the ceasefire agreement by an overwhelming majority—12 votes in favor out of 13. This outcome met the Supreme Leader's precondition and brought the protracted negotiations to a close.
This series of closed-door confrontations reveals that what ultimately compelled Tehran to sign was not merely diplomatic maneuvering, but the imminent risk of internal economic collapse. The rare, joint appeal from the executive system and technical officials to the highest authority proved to be the decisive force in changing the course.