Marco Rubio: Divisions in Iran’s leadership complicate any agreement with Washington

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that differences within Iran’s decision-making centers constitute the main obstacle to making progress in negotiations with the United States, arguing that the multiplicity of power centers within the Iranian system limits the possibility of reaching stable understandings.

In an interview with Fox News, Rubio explained that the Iranian negotiating delegation often runs into internal disagreements with other factions in power, making any external agreement contingent on complex internal balances. He noted that Iran’s leadership is experiencing a deep divide between hardline currents, some of which focus on managing economic and administrative affairs, while others adopt a more rigid ideological approach.

He added that the most hardline faction, linked to the Supreme Leader, holds the decisive word, further complicating the chances of reaching a settlement, noting that the negotiations are not limited to two parties but rather involve a complex network of decision-making centers within Iran.

These remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic moves and escalating regional tensions, as U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to hold a meeting with senior members of his administration in the Situation Room to discuss developments in the Iranian file.

According to available information, the meeting comes after an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for ending the U.S. blockade on its ports, an offer that remains far from U.S. conditions, which focus primarily on preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.