Iran lawmaker says supreme leader expected more from US deal

A senior Iranian lawmaker has said Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei expected more concessions from a recently agreed 14-point memorandum with the United States, underscoring pressure on Tehran's negotiating team ahead of the next phase of talks.

Esmail Kowsari, a member of Iran's parliament representing Tehran, told Khaneh Mellat, the parliament's news agency, that Khamenei believed the framework agreement could have included additional issues, Iran International reports. 

According to Kowsari, the supreme leader nevertheless approved the continuation of negotiations under current conditions while urging Iranian officials not to show weakness in discussions with Washington.

He said negotiators should bear in mind that the United States had sought both a ceasefire and talks from what he described as a weakened position.

“In the continuation of the negotiations, they must act in a way that America never feels the Islamic Republic of Iran needs negotiations with US,” Kowsari said.

The lawmaker argued that Iran remained in a strong position despite the conflict and ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Kowsari said Iran was still negotiating from a position of power and described the country as the true victor in the confrontation.

By Sabina Mammadli