Supreme Leader
Iranian constitutional office with final authority over state policy, distinct from its officeholder.
Iran's head of state and highest religious authority, whose sign-off a Hormuz shipping-corridor draft still lacked as of 5 August after eight rounds of talks and the foreign minister's preliminary approval.
Last refreshed: 12 August 2026
Who must approve Iran's draft Hormuz shipping deal?
Timeline for Supreme Leader
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Iran Conflict 2026Background
The Supreme Leader is Iran's head of state and highest religious authority under the Islamic Republic's constitution, holding final say over the country's most consequential decisions, including matters of war, peace and strategic security agreements.
In the Hormuz negotiations of early August 2026, foreign minister Abbas Araghchi gave a draft shipping-corridor agreement with Oman preliminary approval after eight rounds of talks, but that approval binds nothing until the office has given its own assent alongside the Supreme National Security Council .
That approval chain means a foreign minister's public statement about a deal is not itself the deal: the office can withhold assent without explanation, and no outside party can observe the internal process by which it decides. The office's sign-off is the last and least visible gate the Hormuz draft must pass before it becomes binding Iranian policy.
Has Iran's Supreme Leader approved the Hormuz shipping corridor deal?
What powers does Iran's Supreme Leader hold?
Who has to approve Iran's Hormuz agreement with Oman?
Is the Supreme Leader the same as Mojtaba Khamenei?
