Iran's Talks With the U.S. Expose a Power Struggle in Tehran

As negotiations move toward a proposed 60-day ceasefire between Iran and the United States, the real fight appears to be inside Tehran, not with Washington. According to a report aired by Israel’s Channel 14, the key figure is Ahmad Vahidi, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, whose approval is seen as essential for any agreement.

The Guard Corps is said to view a ceasefire as a chance to win major economic relief, including lifting part of the international sanctions, expanding oil and gas exports, and releasing frozen Iranian funds abroad. That makes the deal attractive even if the military camp does not fully support it.

Iran’s political leadership, meanwhile, sees the agreement as a way to stabilize the economy, reduce tensions with the United States, and avoid collapse. Vahidi’s camp takes a harder line, saying it will take the money but will not give up Iran’s nuclear program, accept outside demands, or let any foreign power dictate its conduct.

The report says the message from Vahidi’s circle is that Iran has already fought a war against the United States and Israel, so it sees no reason to compromise on core principles. Even if an agreement is signed, officials in Tehran are already preparing for what comes next, and the open question is whether the ceasefire would be only a short pause before another confrontation or a longer one.