Iran Needs Days to Consult Supreme Leader on Revised Proposal as US Demands Nuclear Curbs
Reflecto News | Breaking News | US-Iran Diplomacy
TEHRAN/WASHINGTON — Iran has informed mediators that it requires several days to consult with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei before submitting a revised proposal to end the eight-week war with the United States and Israel, a delay that reflects the paralyzed nature of decision-making in Tehran following the February 28 outbreak of hostilities.
The process is moving slowly, sources told CNN, due to difficult communication with Khamenei, whose location is being kept secret for security reasons following the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes that reportedly wounded the new leader on the first day of the war .
🏛️ The Supreme Leader’s Gatekeeper Role
Since the war began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on February 28, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public. According to U.S. media reports, he has been communicating primarily via handwritten notes passed through intermediaries, a laborious process that has complicated the pace of negotiations.
Khamenei assumed power following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on the same day the war began. Sources told Axios that the new leader remains actively involved in all major decisions but operates under severe security constraints, including an active threat of assassination by Israel, and has been reluctant to communicate through electronic channels .
Key obstacles to rapid decision-making in Tehran:
| Obstacle | Details |
|---|---|
| Communication method | Khamenei communicates via runners passing physical notes; no electronic or direct verbal communication |
| Security concerns | Khamenei is reportedly under an active threat of assassination by Israeli intelligence |
| Location secrecy | Khamenei’s whereabouts are being kept classified even from many senior Iranian officials |
| Factional infighting | Hardline IRGC commanders and reformist political elites are publicly feuding over negotiation strategy |
| Dual power structure | Foreign Minister Araghchi negotiates, but the Revolutionary Guards retain veto power over any deal |
Pakistani mediators expect to receive a revised Iranian proposal in the coming days, after Trump indicated he would not accept the phased version Tehran proposed over the weekend, sources told CNN . The US president publicly described the earlier version as “much better” than previous offers, but still insufficient .
🔁 The Three-Phase Framework Iran Is Pushing
Iran has proposed what it describes as a three-phase negotiation framework, which it says could pave the way for a resumption of talks if the US agrees to the plan’s structure .
The three-phase proposal, as reported by Lebanese media outlet Al Mayadeen:
| Phase | Focus | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | End fighting and secure guarantees | End US-Israeli aggression against Iran and Lebanon; guarantee the war will not resume. Iran will not discuss any other issues at this stage |
| Phase 2 | Strait of Hormuz management | Establish a new legal framework governing the strait, including coordination with Oman |
| Phase 3 | Nuclear program | Only after agreements are reached on Phases 1 and 2 will Iran discuss its nuclear program |
The Iranian foreign minister has stressed that Tehran’s “red lines” include its control of the Strait of Hormuz, compensation for war damages, guarantees against future military aggression, and its nuclear energy sector considered non-negotiable .
The Trump administration has rejected this sequencing. Washington insists that Iran’s nuclear program must be addressed before any ceasefire can be finalized or the Strait of Hormuz reopened. The U.S. has demanded that Iran suspend uranium enrichment for at least a decade and remove its stockpile of enriched uranium from the country .
📍 The ‘Communication Gap’: Why Khamenei Is Hard to Reach
The difficulty in communicating with Khamenei did not begin with the war. Since assuming power after his father’s death, the new leader has maintained a much lower public profile than his predecessor, appearing in public only rarely even before the conflict.
Why consulting Khamenei is taking days:
The source of the delay is not merely logistical but also political. As the ultimate authority in the Islamic Republic, Khamenei’s approval is required for any major shift in negotiation strategy. According to a regional source cited by Axios, “Without his green light, there wouldn’t have been a deal” in the initial ceasefire negotiations, and that remains the case .
In the weeks since the ceasefire was announced, multiple reports have emerged of deep divisions within Iran’s leadership. Hardline IRGC commanders have reportedly pressured Khamenei to reject diplomatic compromise and continue the fight, while reformist political elites argue that the economic pain of the blockade will eventually force surrender.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has been shuttling between mediators in Pakistan, Oman, and Russia, reportedly faces the difficult task of persuading both Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guards leadership to accept whatever revised proposal he brings back to the table .
🃏 Trump’s Position: ‘All the Cards’
President Trump has publicly stated that the United States “holds all the cards” and that Iran “can call anytime they want” .
Trump’s public position :
- Iran must address its nuclear program now, not as a deferrable “third phase”
- The U.S. will not accept a new legal regime giving Iran control of the Strait of Hormuz
- The naval blockade will remain in place until Iran capitulates
- Iran’s leadership is “fractured” and Tehran may need “days or weeks” to decide
The White House has confirmed receipt of Iran’s phased proposal but has not yet formally responded. Meanwhile, the U.S. naval blockade remains fully enforced, with CENTCOM reporting that 39 vessels have now been turned away from Iranian ports .
🔮 What Comes Next
The coming days will determine whether the diplomatic process gains momentum or collapses entirely.
- If Khamenei approves a revised proposal more aligned with US demands (particularly on the nuclear issue), talks could resume rapidly.
- If Khamenei rejects further concessions, the ceasefire will remain in place but stalemated, with the blockade and strait closure continuing to drain resources from both sides.
- If no proposal emerges, Washington faces the prospect of either extending its “maximum pressure” campaign indefinitely or resuming military strikes to force compliance.
For now, the diplomats wait — as do the citizens of both nations, and the global economy watching for any sign that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen.
📋 Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Iran’s request | Needs several days to consult Supreme Leader Khamenei before submitting revised proposal |
| Why the delay | Khamenei’s location is secret; communicating via physical notes passed by runners |
| Trump’s position | Rejects phased deal; wants nuclear program addressed immediately |
| Iran’s proposal | Three-phase framework: end war → manage Hormuz → nuclear talks later |
| Negotiation status | Ceasefire holds; no second round of formal talks scheduled |
| Next steps | Mediators awaiting revised Iranian proposal; white House position unchanged |
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