Iran's Araghchi admits six-member committee led nuclear talks, says he never met Khamenei

What Happened

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi disclosed that a six-member subcommittee of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) had made on-the-spot decisions during negotiations for the now-defunct Memorandum of Understanding with the United States, admitting that he has never met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The subcommittee—which includes President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, SNSC Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, Araghchi, and two unnamed individuals—was formed after the 12 Day War and originally chaired by IRGC figure Shahid Shamkhani as a nuclear committee before evolving into a negotiating body under Ali Larijani. Araghchi stated that the committee’s approvals followed SNSC procedure and that communication with the top leadership was difficult, highlighting Khamenei’s limited role in recent months. He also insisted that Iran is winning the ongoing war but defended negotiations to end it, citing the risk of infrastructure collapse. Analysts and a Wall Street Journal report indicated that IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi overruled Araghchi and Pezeshkian in Pakistan talks, reflecting a power struggle exposed by the vacuum left after the death of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Araghchi’s admission strips away the façade of unified leadership in Tehran, exposing the fragmented decision-making and the IRGC’s ascendancy after the death of Ali Khamenei. The revelation underscores the lack of direct supreme leader involvement in critical negotiations, raising questions about the legitimacy and durability of any agreements. It also highlights the internal tug-of-war between elements favoring diplomatic engagement and hardliners resistant to compromise, which directly impacts Iran’s nuclear posture, regional proxy activities, and the prospects for de-escalation with the US and Israel.

Watch For

Monitoring should focus on any public appearance or statement by Mojtaba Khamenei, as it would signal an attempt to reassert supreme leader authority. Further leaks or reports on the composition and decisions of the SNSC subcommittee could reveal the true balance of power. Additionally, track any resumption or breakdown of US-Iran talks, especially in Oman or Pakistan, and watch for IRGC statements or military moves that might override diplomatic tracks, as hinted by Vahidi’s reported intervention.