Khomeini’s grandson urges diplomacy with US

The appeal places the younger Khomeini in direct opposition to the Revolutionary Guards’ position.

By Bianca Jonnes, JFeed

Hassan Khomeini, grandson of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who founded Iran’s Islamic Republic, has sparked controversy with a surprising call to pursue a peace agreement with the United States rather than continued confrontation.

The senior cleric, whose name surfaced in 2026 as a possible candidate for Supreme Leader, is known as a prominent critic of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its involvement in politics.

In a recent address, Khomeini justified potential compromise with the West by invoking the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, a historic ceasefire agreement the Prophet Muhammad signed with the people of Mecca.

Khomeini framed temporary concessions as a strategic victory rather than defeat:

“The clear victory is not connected to the battles of Uhud, Badr, Khandaq, or Tabuk; it is connected to the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. Sometimes a correct compromise bears more fruit than hundreds of wars.”

He described how even the Prophet’s closest companions initially doubted the wisdom of that agreement:

“One of the Prophet’s great companions… said: ‘I doubted this man’s prophecy in only one place, and that was in the story of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.’ He came with complaints to the Prophet and asked, “Are we not on the side of justice?” and the Prophet replied, “This is a divine benefit.”

Less than three years later came the conquest of Mecca and the final victory of Islam.

The appeal places Khomeini in direct opposition to the Revolutionary Guards’ position.

However, his use of Islamic historical precedent suggests he is attempting to provide religious legitimacy for a temporary ceasefire that would allow Iran to preserve its strength for the long term.