Related videos:
The supreme leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, made an unexpected turn amid escalating tensions with the United States by authorizing his negotiators to move forward with an agreement, just as President Donald Trump was ramping up his public threats of total annihilation.
The decision marked a turning point in a conflict that, until that moment, seemed headed toward a large-scale military confrontation in the Middle East.
Officials from the United States and Israel confirmed to Axios that the change in stance occurred on Monday, when Khamenei instructed for the first time since the start of the war to explore a diplomatic exit.
While Trump escalated the tone of his warnings, an intense diplomatic effort was simultaneously taking place behind the scenes that ultimately led to a provisional ceasefire.
During those critical hours, the Pentagon was preparing a campaign of massive bombings against Iranian infrastructure, while regional allies were gearing up for a possible unprecedented retaliation.
The uncertainty was complete. "We had no idea what was going to happen. It was insane," acknowledged a U.S. defense official. The negotiations were described as chaotic.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff initially rejected the Iranian proposal, calling it a “catastrophe.” However, mediators from Pakistan, along with diplomats from Egypt and Turkey, managed to redirect the dialogue. By Monday evening, there was already a concrete proposal for a two-week ceasefire.
Khamenei, operating under strict security measures and communicating through messengers, played a decisive role. His final approval unlocked the agreement. Meanwhile, Iranian Minister Abbas Araghchi pressured the Revolutionary Guard to accept the terms.
On Tuesday, despite new threats from Trump, the parties reached an agreement. Within hours, a ceasefire was announced, avoiding a war with unpredictable consequences.
The future remains uncertain, with deep, unresolved differences and the risk that the conflict may reignite at any moment.
Filed under: