Iran’s Leaders Mostly Want a Deal
The idea that infighting in Tehran is blocking U.S.-Iran talks is an oversimplification, as internal divisions do not neatly align with military versus civilian lines. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a key figure in Iran's negotiations, holds influence across both military and political spheres, particularly through his role in the Supreme National Security Council and ties to the IRGC. While some hard-liners like Saeed Jalili oppose diplomacy with the U.S., the IRGC as an institution has not uniformly resisted the talks, indicating a more complex internal dynamic than commonly portrayed.
- ▪The Trump administration claims U.S.-Iran talks are stalled due to infighting in Tehran, particularly between military hard-liners and civilian diplomats.
- ▪Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf leads Iran's diplomatic talks with the U.S. and holds significant power through his roles in the Supreme National Security Council and the IRGC.
- ▪Qalibaf has a history as a top IRGC commander, head of its construction wing and air force, and former mayor of Tehran with a reputation for corruption and repression.
- ▪Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is in poor health and largely unseen, raising questions about his ability to guide national decisions.
- ▪Saeed Jalili and allied lawmakers Ali Khezrian and Mahmoud Nabavian oppose negotiations with the U.S., but no IRGC commander has publicly criticized Qalibaf’s diplomatic role.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
GlobalThe ‘Infighting’ in Tehran Has Been Greatly ExaggeratedYes, Iran has factions, but diplomacy has the backing of many of them.By Arash AziziIcana News Agency / ZUMA Press Wire / ReutersMay 1, 2026, 7 AM ET ShareSave According to the Trump administration’s latest messaging, talks between the United States and Iran are deadlocked because of infighting in Tehran. The military hard-liners of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps must be stopping the civilian diplomats from making a deal.
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