TEHRAN — Internal power struggles within the Iranian leadership have stalled diplomatic efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement with the United States, according to reports emerging on April 24, 2026. The friction between competing factions in Tehran has complicated the Trump administration’s objective of securing a significant diplomatic victory to conclude the ongoing regional conflict.
The impasse became evident during the initial round of negotiations held earlier this month. Mediators familiar with the proceedings noted that the Iranian delegation became increasingly evasive when pressed for specific commitments on issues they had previously signaled a willingness to discuss. The lack of a unified stance has hindered the ability of international intermediaries to draft a framework for a potential second round of talks, which had been tentatively scheduled to take place in Islamabad.
At the core of the diplomatic paralysis is a widening rift between the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and government officials focused on the country’s deteriorating economic state. Hard-line elements, led by IRGC Commander Major General Ahmad Vahidi, have reportedly increased pressure on negotiators to resist concessions. Vahidi, who has emerged as a dominant figure in the current power structure, has prioritized ideological purity and military posture over the economic relief sought by pragmatists.
Conversely, President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have advocated for a more flexible approach to secure the lifting of naval blockades and the unfreezing of Iranian assets. Pezeshkian reportedly warned that financial gains from negotiations are essential to address an estimated $300 billion in economic losses sustained during the conflict. Reports on Friday suggested that Ghalibaf has considered resigning from the negotiating team due to these internal disagreements. While Iranian officials have publicly projected a front of "unprecedented unity," the conflicting signals regarding maritime policy and the Strait of Hormuz suggest otherwise.
The leadership vacuum is further exacerbated by the continued seclusion of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Following the February airstrikes that killed his predecessor, Mojtaba Khamenei has not made a public appearance, with reports indicating he is recovering from serious injuries. His absence from active policy arbitration has left the Iranian government without a final authority to resolve the disputes between the military and civilian branches.
In Washington, President Trump characterized the Iranian leadership as being in "turmoil," noting that the internal divisions have made it difficult to identify a clear counterpart for negotiations. Despite the current deadlock, Trump indicated that a resumption of talks in Islamabad remains possible within the next 36 to 72 hours. However, U.S. officials emphasized that the "clock is ticking" as the regional ceasefire extension nears its expiration. As of late Friday, no formal date for a resumption of high-level meetings has been confirmed.