The prolonged negotiations between the US and Iran may largely stem from the extreme secrecy surrounding Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's whereabouts and communication. US intelligence officials suggest his strict security measures are a direct response to an assassination attempt on 28/2 that killed his father, the late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Mojtaba Khamenei himself sustained injuries during a February airstrike. Since that incident, his location has been undisclosed. Updates on his condition have been limited to announcements from close advisors and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), confirming his recovery. Tehran has not released any current images or revealed his exact hiding place, and he has made no public appearances or statements since before the conflict erupted.
This intense secrecy significantly complicates internal communication for Iranian officials tasked with working with President Donald Trump's administration. According to CBS sources, this internal disconnect hinders the process of developing a potential agreement. Two US officials confirmed that whenever Washington submits detailed proposals, conveying the information to the Iranian Supreme Leader and awaiting his response is a time-consuming process.
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Mojtaba Khamenei at an event in Tehran, Iran, 10/2024. Photo: AFP
US intelligence officials assess that a majority of Iran's leadership has been sheltering in fortified bunkers for weeks. They maintain minimal communication, only exchanging information when essential. One source indicated that even Iran's highest-ranking officials do not know the Supreme Leader's precise location and cannot contact him directly. He communicates with advisors exclusively through a complex network of messengers.
The Iranian Supreme Leader likely provides only general guidance to his subordinates, outlining negotiable issues and those off-limits for discussion. This creates substantial delays in information reaching him, resulting in slow responses during the negotiation process.
On 24/5, a senior US administration official reported that the Iranian Supreme Leader has agreed to the core elements of the current draft agreement. President Trump also posted on Truth Social, expressing his expectation for a final decision within the next few days.
By Thanh Danh (Source: CBS)
