US officials say negotiations with Iran have entered a fragile phase due to a deep division within the power structures in Tehran, while Donald Trump is considering extending the ceasefire for several more days. According to sources cited by international media, the US administration believes that there is a strong division between Iran's political leadership and military structures, which is preventing the achievement of a unified position on a possible nuclear deal and an end to the conflict.
Officials say Trump is willing to extend the ceasefire for another 3 to 5 days, but not indefinitely, leaving open the possibility of escalation if there is no rapid progress. According to US reports, there is an internal conflict in Iran between political negotiators and Revolutionary Guard commanders. The military is suspected of opposing some of the proposals that Iranian diplomats themselves have discussed in the talks.
The situation is further complicated by the limited role of key figures in the Iranian hierarchy, including Mojtaba Khamenei, who US officials claim has limited communication with decision-making structures. Also, commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have reportedly openly opposed several decisions of the Foreign Ministry, including sensitive issues such as control of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the US, this rift became apparent after the first talks and deepened after several decisions declared by Iranian diplomats were not implemented by the military structures.
Washington is also closely watching Tehran's lack of a clear response to recent proposals, as well as its reluctance to enter into a new round of talks. In this context, Vice President JD Vance's planned trip to Islamabad for negotiations has been postponed, pending a unified Iranian stance.
Risk of escalation
The White House is keeping its options open, warning that if there is no progress in the coming days, the ceasefire could end and the situation could turn into a military escalation. For now, everything depends on whether Iran can establish a unified line of decision-making — something that US officials say does not yet exist.
