U.S. Iran Negotiations Slowed by Supreme Leader's Isolation

U.S. officials said Sunday that negotiations between the United States and Iran have slowed because Iran's supreme leader is operating from an undisclosed location with limited outside access. The leader is reached only through a network of couriers, according to officials familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments.

This setup has created delays when Washington sends proposed terms and waits for replies.

When the United States transmits draft details, the time required to route messages through couriers means responses can take days to arrive. Officials described the information reaching the supreme leader as dated and subject to latency. High-ranking Iranian officials authorized to work with the Trump administration have faced similar internal communication problems.

Some leaders spend weeks inside fortified bunkers and avoid direct contact unless required.

Background on the Draft Agreement A senior administration official said Sunday that the supreme leader had agreed to the contours of the current draft. President Trump posted on Truth Social that he expected final word within days. The same day, Trump stated that any deal reached with Iran would be a good and proper one.

Oil prices fell after reports that officials had agreed in principle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

intelligence obtained from inside the Iranian government has enabled the elimination of much of Iran's senior leadership during the war. The supreme leader has not been seen in public since before the conflict began. Iranian officials have said the leader suffered injuries in strikes earlier this year. The current measures are described as an effort to avoid similar targeting.