Iranian media revealed on Friday the existence of internal divisions between political and military decision-makers in Iran regarding the formation of the Iranian delegation supposed to negotiate with the United States in Islamabad, as well as regarding its powers.
The Iran International channel quoted informed sources as saying that sharp disagreements arose between senior Iranian officials over the composition of the delegation and the scope of its powers, coinciding with preparations to hold talks with the American side.
According to the sources, Ahmed Vahidi, Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Guards, is seeking to reduce the powers of Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who are scheduled to go to Pakistan to meet with the American delegation headed by US Vice President Jay D. Vance.
The sources added that Wahidi exerted pressure to add Muhammad Baqir Dhu al-Qadr, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, to the negotiating team, but the current members of the delegation object to this, under the pretext that he lacks the necessary experience to participate in strategic negotiations.
Vahidi and the commander of the IRGC’s air-space forces also stressed the need to stay away from any negotiations related to Iran’s missile program.
On the other hand, US President Donald Trump warned that Iran would face new strikes if the talks in Pakistan failed, declaring, according to the New York Post: “We are currently loading ships with the best munitions and the best weapons ever made.”
In a related context, US Vice President Jay DeVance left the United States heading to Pakistan to participate in the discussions, expressing his hope to achieve a “positive” result that ends the war in the Middle East.
Vance said before his departure: “We will try to engage in positive negotiations,” adding: “If the Iranians are ready to negotiate in good faith, then we are ready to extend a hand, but if they try to manipulate us, that will not be acceptable.”
For its part, Pakistani security sources said that the talks in Islamabad are expected to begin on Friday with preliminary discussions between specialists, with the main meeting to be held on Saturday, with the possibility of extending them until Sunday if necessary.
