Ahmad Alamolhoda, the prayer leader in Mashhad, said on Friday that Iranian officials who held negotiations during a recent visit to New York had acted against Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's instructions. “The supreme leader did not authorize negotiations. He only instructed them to convey these seven conditions to the United States,” Alamolhoda said. “His instruction was to announce the conditions, not to negotiate. Those who negotiated there acted against the leader's orders.” “Officials should not behave in a way that makes America think we need negotiations,” he said. He also argued against moves to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying any such action would help the United States and ease pressure on Washington.