Iranian Leadership Split Nearly Derailed Last-Minute Deal Approval

A New York Times report says a fierce dispute inside Iran’s top leadership nearly derailed approval of a memorandum of understanding at the last minute. According to the report, Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, approved the text on Saturday and instructed parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf to bring it to the Supreme National Security Council for a vote. Even so, at least two hardline members opposed the move, though the agreement was ultimately approved.

Tensions spiked after the Israeli strike in Beirut’s Dahieh district on Sunday. In response, missiles were reportedly placed in launchers along Iran’s western border, and Tehran ordered preparations for a launch toward Israel during the night. Iranian officials were furious and told Qatari mediators they intended both to respond to Israel and to freeze the signing of the agreement.

Qatar then pressed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Ghalibaf hard, warning that such a move could strengthen the deal’s opponents. Inside Iran, the argument sharpened further. President Masoud Pezeshkian, along with Araghchi and Ghalibaf, argued that Benjamin Netanyahu was setting a “trap for Iran,” and that the Beirut strike was meant to provoke Tehran into a retaliatory escalation that would collapse the agreement.

At one stage, Iran tried to make last-minute changes to the text, but Qatar rejected the request. As the discussions dragged on and disagreements deepened, Tehran received a blunt warning that continued delays could test Donald Trump’s patience and endanger completion of the entire process.