A diplomatic expert said that any final text for an Iranian agreement cannot be officially adopted without the approval of the Supreme Leader [1].
This requirement underscores the centralized nature of Iranian foreign policy and the high stakes involved in current diplomatic efforts. Because the Supreme Leader holds ultimate authority, any agreement reached by negotiators remains provisional until it receives a formal endorsement from the top leadership.
Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh, director of the Al-Salam Institute for Diplomatic Studies, said that the usual procedures require final approval from the Supreme Leader before any text is officially adopted [1]. He said that the current sensitivity of the situation necessitates a careful and slow review of the texts [1].
According to Gholamzadeh, this detailed examination involves the negotiating team, the Supreme National Security Council, and the senior leadership [1]. This process is designed to ensure that all details are fully understood and vetted before the leadership grants its final consent [1].
"The sensitivity of the current situation imposes a careful and slow study of the texts between the negotiating team, the Supreme National Security Council, and the senior leadership to ensure all details are understood," Gholamzadeh said [1].
He said that no final text has been officially approved yet [1]. The internal verification process remains a critical hurdle for any diplomatic breakthrough, as the leadership prioritizes precision over speed in the current geopolitical climate [1].
“The Iranian agreement requires the approval of the Supreme Leader”
The statement clarifies that while diplomatic negotiations may reach a tentative consensus, the actual implementation of an agreement depends on a rigid internal hierarchy. By emphasizing the role of the Supreme National Security Council and the Supreme Leader, Gholamzadeh signals that the Iranian government is prioritizing risk mitigation and internal alignment over rapid diplomatic resolution.
