The representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader in India, Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, has asserted that Tehran emerged as the “winner” of the recent conflict, claiming that it was US President Donald Trump who ultimately “surrendered” by accepting Iran’s conditions for a ceasefire. His remarks come in the wake of a two-week truce agreed upon after nearly a month of intense fighting that reportedly resulted in over 2,000 deaths across the region.
Dr Ilahi dismissed speculation surrounding the health and role of Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, stating that he is fully active and overseeing decisions through a leadership council. This directly contradicts claims from US and Israeli sources suggesting that Mojtaba was incapacitated and unable to participate in decision-making during the conflict.
According to Ilahi, Iran’s ability to withstand sustained military pressure and continue retaliatory actions across the region demonstrated its strategic strength. He argued that despite heavy strikes targeting its leadership and infrastructure, Iran did not collapse and instead compelled the United States to agree to terms favourable to Tehran.
A central element of Iran’s position in the negotiations relates to the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy corridor. Ilahi emphasised that Iran seeks to retain control over the waterway, arguing that such control is necessary to prevent adversaries from using it against the country. He also indicated that Iran is open to maintaining friendly relations with other nations while safeguarding its strategic interests.
During the conflict, Iran reportedly allowed vessels from selected countries, including India, Iraq, China, Russia, and Pakistan, to pass through the Strait, reflecting a selective approach to maritime access. There have also been reports suggesting that Iran has been charging significant fees for safe passage, reinforcing its attempt to leverage control over the route.
Addressing the role of external actors, Ilahi stated that Iran did not formally request mediation from any country, although nations such as Pakistan took the initiative to facilitate dialogue between Tehran and Washington. He described these efforts as independent attempts to de-escalate the situation rather than coordinated mediation at Iran’s request.
Overall, his statements reflect Iran’s narrative of the conflict, portraying the ceasefire as a result of its resilience and negotiating position, while highlighting ongoing geopolitical tensions and unresolved issues surrounding regional security and control of key strategic assets.
