Context: Who is Masoud Pezeshkian?

Masoud Pezeshkian is a Iranian politician and former cardiac surgeon who won the 2024 presidential election as a reformist candidate. Unlike his predecessors, he has advocated for improved relations with the West and domestic reforms. His moderate stance puts him at odds with Iran's conservative establishment, which controls much of the country's power structure including the Revolutionary Guards and judiciary.

"We must not let this opportunity pass, which could lift the country from its current situation. It may not come again."

In statements released by the state agency ISNA, the president defined the understanding with Washington as a significant diplomatic breakthrough for Tehran. Pezeshkian, considered one of the most moderate figures within Iran's leadership, has supported from the beginning the diplomatic efforts led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Understanding Iran's Power Structure

Iran's political system is complex. While the President handles day-to-day governance, ultimate authority rests with the Supreme Leader (currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei), who controls the military, judiciary, and state media. Hardline newspapers like Kayhan often reflect the views of conservative factions aligned with the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), Iran's powerful military force that operates independently of the regular army.

The criticism from Kayhan is significant because the newspaper's editor is appointed directly by the Supreme Leader, making its editorial line an important indicator of conservative sentiment within the regime.

Two Phases of Negotiation

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi explained that talks were divided into two stages due to the complexity of issues under discussion:

Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Approximately 20% of the world's petroleum passes through this chokepoint, making it critical for global energy markets. Iran's ability to threaten or block this passage gives it significant leverage in international negotiations, which is why its reopening is a key component of the first phase agreement.

Uncertainty Over Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected reports pointing to an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, stating that Israeli forces will remain there "as long as necessary."

Donald Trump has publicly criticized Israel's actions in Lebanon, noting that "too many people have died." For Tehran, this visible friction between Washington and Israel is useful, though it also makes the agreement fragile: if Israel continues operations in Lebanon, Iran will be pressured to respond through its ally Hezbollah - the powerful Lebanese militia it has backed for decades.

Hezbollah: Iran's Regional Partner

Hezbollah ("Party of God" in Arabic) is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon. Founded in 1985 with Iranian support during the Lebanese Civil War, it operates as both a political party with seats in Lebanon's parliament and an armed militia widely considered more powerful than Lebanon's official army. Hezbollah receives substantial financial and military support from Iran's Revolutionary Guards, making it a key component of Iran's regional influence strategy.

What Does This Mean for Ordinary Iranians?

For many Iranian families, the question is not whether the agreement sounds like a victory, but whether it will succeed in lowering prices and reducing fear of renewed war. One citizen told the BBC Persian Service: "I think it's something temporary, but we needed a few months of respite and calm."

The memorandum's success will not be measured in official slogans, but by whether the war ends, prices moderate, sanctions relief arrives, and leaders manage the next phase without another sudden escalation.