Who determines Iran’s fighting and negotiating position amid US threats?

Tehran, Iran – Negotiations to prevent a further outbreak of war between Iran and the United States are being held, but the stagnant process has highlighted who holds power within Iran’s government. President Masoud Pezeshkian, a relative moderate, said on Monday that his government had been given “certain powers” by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei regarding the negotiations with the US. Pezeshkian, who has come under fire from hardliners opposed to any deal with Washington, did not give any details about what authority this entails. His comment followed efforts by mediators, including Qatar and Pakistan, to prevent new US strikes on Iran.