Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly played a decisive role in persuading Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to approve a ceasefire and negotiations with Washington. Pezeshkian warned that Iran's economy was nearing collapse under a U.S. naval blockade and threatened to resign if the deal was rejected. The Central Bank governor also reportedly warned that the country could run short of food and medical supplies within weeks. Khamenei ultimately authorized the talks, saying he opposed the agreement "in principle" but would support it if backed by the Supreme National Security Council, which overwhelmingly approved the plan. Source: NYT