Reported Rift Within Iran’s Leadership Deepens Amid Stalled US Talks

A growing rift within Iran’s leadership has reportedly surfaced as negotiations with the United States remain stalled, with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said to be seeking the removal of Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

According to a report by Iran International, the two senior leaders have accused Araghchi of sidelining the presidency and instead aligning closely with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during sensitive negotiations with Washington. The report further alleges that Araghchi has increasingly operated under the influence of IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi, rather than functioning as a cabinet minister accountable to the elected government.

Sources cited by the UK-based outlet claim that the foreign minister failed to adequately brief the president on developments in the nuclear talks over the past two weeks. Frustration within the administration is said to be mounting, with Pezeshkian reportedly indicating to close associates that he may consider dismissing Araghchi if the situation persists.

Iranian authorities have not issued any official response to these claims, and the reports remain unverified.

The reported internal discord comes at a critical juncture, as efforts to revive diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington remain deadlocked. Talks aimed at transforming a fragile ceasefire with Israel into a more durable arrangement have made little progress, with the leadership divide believed to be a significant contributing factor.

Earlier indications of tension within Iran’s power structure had already emerged. In March, Iran International reported disagreements between the Pezeshkian administration and IRGC-linked factions over the handling of regional conflict, its economic repercussions, and the growing strain on the Iranian public.

Meanwhile, a report by Israel Hayom suggested that US officials have expressed concern over the limited authority of Iran’s negotiating team during recent talks in Islamabad. According to the report, Washington has set conditions for resuming dialogue, including a requirement that Iranian negotiators receive full backing from the IRGC to finalise any agreement.

The same report alleged that senior IRGC figures, including Ahmad Vahidi and Ali Abdollahi, restricted the Iranian delegation’s ability to respond directly to US proposals. In response, President Pezeshkian is said to have urged Ghalibaf, who was leading the delegation, to intervene decisively and “save Iran from total economic collapse”.

These developments have intensified speculation of a broader power struggle within Tehran, with competing factions divided over diplomatic strategy, military priorities, and the extent of engagement with the West amid ongoing regional tensions and economic challenges.