TEHRAN: Iranian leaders are divided over peace talks with the United States as Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday seeking an agreement to prevent renewed fighting.
President Masoud Pezeshkian and several senior officials favour negotiations to ease economic pressure and secure relief from US sanctions. However, hardline figures oppose concessions they believe could weaken Iran’s position in future confrontations.
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has called for an end to the country’s prolonged state of “neither war nor peace”, according to Iranian state media. His reported instructions maintained that any settlement must meet Tehran’s conditions.
Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have supported diplomatic efforts to resolve the impasse.
Other security figures remain open to negotiations but insist Iran must retain its strategic leverage. Hardliners associated with the Paydari Front, including Saeed Jalili, oppose concessions to Washington.
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance has contacted Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, over a possible diplomatic agreement. Washington wants Iran to address its nuclear programme from the beginning of negotiations.
Read: Qatari Mediators Return to Tehran for US-Iran Deal: Official
Tehran insists that the United States must first lift restrictions on oil exports and end its naval blockade of Iranian ports. Qatar and Pakistan have helped advance regional mediation efforts.
The latest proposals include a seven-day framework for confidence-building measures, but disagreements over the order of concessions remain unresolved.
Read: Iran Peace Talks Face Dispute Over Qatar Plan, Officials Say
Reports suggest Washington and Israel are considering further military action if diplomacy fails. Neither side has announced a confirmed timetable for renewed strikes.
Tehran is reviewing the proposals, with mediators expecting a response by the end of the week. Iran’s political establishment faces disagreements over negotiations with Washington as mediators seek an agreement and reports warn of possible renewed US-Israeli strikes.
