While the world watches Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf lead nuclear negotiations, a powerful but lesser-known figure, Ahmad Vahidi, may be quietly gaining control.
Vahidi, the new head of Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has little interest in compromise with the United States, according to Newsweek.
Experts warn that things may not be so simple with Iran's new leaders, despite Donald Trump's belief that they are easier to deal with.
Vahidi has been building influence and has been consolidating power since his predecessor was killed in the early stages of the US-Israeli war against Iran two months ago.
He has built a close inner circle and appears to be pushing aside officials seen as more open to a deal with Washington.
Analysts say Vahidi has not indicated any willingness to concede to core US demands related to Iran's nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz.
Experts push back hard on Trump's claim that regime change has already happened in Iran, saying the regime is more hardline, less prone to compromise, and more nakedly tied to the IRGC.
The war has handed more power to hardline military factions and deepened anti-American sentiment, which is exactly opposite of what Trump has claimed.
