How Iran's supreme leader reached truce with Trump

Source: axios.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

Axios details the back-channel diplomacy that produced a two-week U.S.-Iran ceasefire on Tuesday, after intense negotiations involving Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, U.S. President Trump, envoy Steve Witkoff, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Pakistani mediators. Khamenei, succeeding his father and facing assassination threats, approved the deal via note-passing runners for the first time since the war began. The reporting comes right after Trump's announcement and Araghchi's confirmation, amid Pentagon preparations for strikes.

Key points

Details and context

Khamenei communicated laboriously via runners passing notes, as he faced active Israeli assassination risks; two sources called his negotiator blessing a "breakthrough." Araghchi handled talks and convinced Revolutionary Guards commanders, while China advised Iran to seek an off-ramp. VP JD Vance worked phones from Hungary mainly with Pakistanis; Netanyahu stayed in frequent contact with Trump but grew concerned about losing process control.

U.S. forces and Pentagon readied massive bombing of Iranian infrastructure; regional allies braced for retaliation, and some Iranian civilians fled homes. Even Trump associates were confused on his leanings until the acceptance. Peace talks are planned Friday in Pakistan, likely led by Vance; a senior Israeli official said Netanyahu got U.S. assurances on demanding Iran abandon nuclear material, enrichment, and ballistic missiles.

Key quotes

Why it matters

A U.S.-Iran war risked obliterating infrastructure, spiking oil prices, and drawing in allies like Israel amid nuclear and missile threats. This buys time for negotiations, potentially easing global energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz and lowering gasoline costs. Watch shipping resumption, Netanyahu's ceasefire adherence, and Friday talks in Pakistan, though gaps in demands could restart fighting.[[1]](https://www.axios.com/2026/04/08/exclusive-how-irans-supreme-leader-reached-a-truce-with-trump)