In an interview, Ayatollah Hakeem Elahi, representing Iran’s Supreme Leader in India, described the temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran as a clear victory for Tehran. He asserted that despite Washington’s claims of success, it was ultimately the United States that conceded by accepting Iran’s conditions after nearly 40 days of conflict. According to him, the war demonstrated that military action could not deliver solutions and only led to widespread suffering.
Elahi rejected American claims of victory by pointing to what he described as unmet objectives. He said the United States had aimed for regime change in Iran, control over its oil resources, and a complete halt to uranium enrichment, but failed to achieve any of these goals. On that basis, he argued that Iran had emerged stronger by preserving its core strategic interests.
He further claimed that while the United States initially proposed a 15-point negotiation framework, Iran instead presented its own 10-point set of conditions, which Washington eventually accepted. These demands, he said, included retaining uranium enrichment rights, ensuring sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, and securing commitments against further aggression.
Addressing the status of the Strait of Hormuz, Elahi emphasised that Iran intends to maintain control over the critical waterway while continuing to engage positively with other countries. He suggested that Iran’s priority is to prevent adversaries from using the route against its interests, rather than to disrupt global trade entirely.
On the issue of trust and ceasefire compliance, particularly with regard to Israel, he indicated that the situation remains under discussion and that no definitive conclusions should be drawn yet. He described many circulating claims as premature and not reflective of any final agreement.
Regarding mediation efforts, Elahi clarified that Iran did not formally request any country to act as an intermediary. However, he acknowledged that nations such as Pakistan had taken initiatives to facilitate dialogue between the parties in an effort to de-escalate the conflict.
He also addressed speculation surrounding Iran’s leadership, stating that decision-making is being carried out by a council under the supervision of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. He dismissed concerns about Khamenei’s condition, asserting that he is actively overseeing developments and remains in control.
Overall, Elahi’s remarks framed the ceasefire as a strategic success for Iran, portraying the outcome as one where Tehran maintained its sovereignty, resisted external pressure, and dictated key terms of engagement.
