Iran declares victory in deal with US, while hard-liners push for tougher terms

Iran, after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Trump administration to end a war that began earlier this year, is celebrating what it sees as a major victory over the U.S.

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly and is believed to have been hurt from a U.S. or Israeli strike, declared in a social media post Thursday that the MOU is a result of President Trump’s “desperation.”

But pushback from regime hard-liners and everyday Iranians point to deep divisions over the agreement and fear for the future. 

Researchers are examining Iranian discourse on social media to gauge reactions to the MOU.

These researchers focus on official government accounts, state-backed press reporting and discussions inside Iran from everyday Iranians getting around internet blackouts. 

They say that support for the MOU is hardly universal.

“It surprised me that there wasn’t more support for the MOU,” said Erol Yayboke, chief operating officer for FilterLabs.AI, a data-analytics company that uses social media to track public sentiment. 

“The opposition to the MOU was either: It didn’t go far enough, or it entrenched the Iranian regime. I would have assumed that there would have been more ‘I am glad the war is over’ chatter. We didn’t see that as much, and I think there’s mistrust …  that the war is actually over.”

Debate and pushback inside Iran are an ever-present feature. But while there is disagreement over tactics and strategy, government officials and the military are largely unified on the overall goal of preserving the regime and contesting the U.S.

‘A message from a powerful Iran’

The 14-point MOU is a preliminary agreement that reopens the Strait of Hormuz and halts fighting. It sets up at least 60 days of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran appears to get immediate relief from U.S. sanctions on its oil and banking industries.

FilterLabs assessed that official government channels are highlighting parts of the 14-point plan as key wins: Trump’s agreement to draw down the U.S. naval blockade, with emphasis that Iran secured a U.S. commitment for an “immediate” withdrawal rather than a 30-day timetable. Vice President Vance said Thursday the U.S. has lifted the blockade. 

In Point 5 of the MOU, the regime is also stressing that the Iranian commitment to allow toll-free passage through the strait is for 60 days “only” — describing the future status of the strait as subject to “Iranian........

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