Iran claims ceasefire victory: 'Trump surrendered to Tehran' | Iran's India Rep Exclusive

UPDATED: Apr 8, 2026 22:56 IST

In this exclusive interview, Ayatollah Hakeem Elahi, Iran's Supreme Leader's representative in India, hails the temporary ceasefire as Tehran's triumph. He claims U.S. President Trump surrendered to Iran's conditions after 40 days of war, failing to achieve regime change, oil control, or zero uranium enrichment.

Ayatollah Elahi outlines Iran's 10-point demands now accepted by Washington, including uranium rights and Strait of Hormuz sovereignty. He dismissed U.S. victory claims, addressed Pakistan's mediation, and affirmed Supreme Leader Khamenei's oversight amid Israeli trust issues.

Q: Your first reaction to the temporary ceasefire?

Ayatollah Hakeem Elahi: Firstly, I would like to thank you for having me. I congratulate all people in the world, especially my dear brothers and sisters in India. I express my sincere gratitude to all Indian media, because during the past 40 days, they stunned us with their coverage of justice, freedom, and the war. Finally, President Trump wanted unconditional surrender from Iran, but he is the one who surrendered and accepted all Tehran's conditions. He accepted that war is not a solution and everyone suffers through war. They understood they must stop this war.

Q: You're saying America surrendered, but Washington is claiming victory, sir. How do you see the fact that Tehran and Washington are both saying that we have won, that this is our victory?

Ayatollah Hakeem Elahi: What is the criterion of victory? They wanted regime change within three days and said the map of Iran would change. They also said they would control Iran's oil and take all uranium, with zero enrichment. They achieved none of this. They said that they wanted to have all the uranium from Iran. And the enrichment of uranium should be zero. But they didn't have it. So is it their victory or Iran's?

Q: Iran has accepted going to the negotiating table with America's 15-point proposal, while America accepted Iran's 10-point conditions, including uranium enrichment, sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, and non-aggression. What are Iran's non-negotiables?

Ayatollah Hakeem Elahi: At the beginning, the United States offered 15 conditions for negotiation, but Iran did not accept. Iran submitted its conditions, which the United States accepted. This means Iran won the war. Iran mentioned 10 conditions for negotiation within two weeks.

Q: Has the status of the Strait of Hormuz changed completely? Will Iran control it, or accept it being open to everybody free of cost?

Ayatollah Hakeem Elahi: Before this war, the Strait of Hormuz existed, but within 40 days, war created insecurity and some countries could not pass. Now we want good relations and friendship with all countries; we do not want to change anything. We should have control over the straits and not allow enemies to use it against us.

Q: Do you trust Israel not to carry out attacks, given this double-sided ceasefire where Iran, Israel, and America stop attacking?

Ayatollah Hakeem Elahi: This is under negotiation, but not a final decision. There is no authentic statement from Iran or others that they want to do something. This is just media news.

Q: Pakistan has been chosen as venue and mediator. Is Islamabad the only option left for Iran?

Ayatollah Hakeem Elahi: We did not ask any country to mediate between Iran and the United States. Some countries gathered to stop this war, including Pakistan. They negotiated with both sides for a ceasefire and to end the crisis.

Q: Are you in touch with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei? Is he on board? Who is calling the shots?

Ayatollah Hakeem Elahi: We have a council under the leadership of the new supreme leader taking decisions on this important issue. Fortunately, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is very healthy, supervising issues, and everything is under his control.

- Ends

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