The Trump administration is pressing Iran to present a unified negotiating position as tensions simmer within Tehran's own ranks, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Leavitt outlined the administration's stance on ongoing Iran discussions, emphasizing that President Trump remains willing to exercise flexibility in talks—but only once Iranian negotiators can speak with one voice.
"The President is open to negotiations, but we need to see a unified proposal from the Iranian side," Leavitt said during her briefing. "Right now, there appears to be internal division that's making it difficult to move forward productively."
The comments underscore growing frustration within the Trump administration over what U.S. officials characterize as fractured messaging from Tehran. Multiple factions within Iran's government and military structures have reportedly expressed conflicting positions on key negotiation points, creating uncertainty for diplomatic progress.
Leavitt's remarks suggest the White House strategy hinges on forcing Iran to resolve its internal disputes before substantive talks can resume. The approach reflects a broader administration tactic of applying pressure while maintaining a diplomatic door open.
The tensions between hardliners and more pragmatic factions within Iran have long complicated international negotiations. Any unified Iranian proposal would need to satisfy both military leadership and civilian government bodies—a balancing act that has historically proven challenging.
For now, the administration appears content to wait, signalling that the burden rests on Tehran to present coherent terms. Whether Iran can achieve internal consensus on negotiating parameters remains an open question as geopolitical tensions continue to simmer in the region.
This article is based on reporting from CBS News.