Omid57.infoAl Jazeera: who decides on war and talks in Tehran? (4 November 2026)
By Omid57.info Editorial Desk · Published · 2 min read
Al Jazeera analysis from Tehran, 4 November 2026: Pezeshkian speaks of 'certain powers' over the talks, but analysts say the weight of the Revolutionary Guards has grown since the war began.
In an analysis from Tehran by Maziar Motamedi, published on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, Al Jazeera looks at a question that is decisive for any deal: who in the Islamic Republic decides whether to keep fighting or to negotiate with the United States?
"Certain powers" for the government
According to Al Jazeera, President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that the Islamic Republic's leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, had given the government "certain powers" over the negotiations. He did not say how far they go. Pezeshkian faces criticism from hardliners who oppose any deal.
More weight for the Revolutionary Guards
The author writes that since the war began on 28 February, the balance of power has shifted towards Revolutionary Guards commanders and security officials. Sina Toossi of the Center for International Policy in Washington told Al Jazeera that any agreement needs the backing of the security and military establishment. That is one analyst's assessment, not a confirmed fact.
According to Al Jazeera, the leader's office said Khamenei met Revolutionary Guards chief Ahmad Vahidi and ordered forces to respond to any attack "immediately and without geographical restrictions". Guards spokesman Hossein Mohebbi said the attacks on three ships had been coordinated with higher authorities. Some US media, citing anonymous sources, reported that hardline factions ordered the attacks; Al Jazeera does not confirm this.
Who answers Vance's letter?
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the reply to JD Vance's letter would come from Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, not from parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Rezaei spoke on state TV of a "positive change in tone" in Vance's message.
Tehran's stated demands, according to Al Jazeera, are an end to the naval blockade, sanctions relief, the release of frozen funds, a smaller US military footprint and an end to fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon.
Editorial note
The report shows that the official negotiator and the real decision-maker in the Islamic Republic are not necessarily the same. When ships are attacked "in coordination with higher authorities" while talks are under way, the other side may fairly ask what a government signature guarantees. For people in Iran, the lack of transparency about who decides on war and peace is itself part of the problem.
Sources
This article was prepared by the Omid57.info editorial desk with the help of AI tools and is reviewed after publication. Quotes are kept short; please read the full text at the original source.