The difficulties slowing progress in negotiations for a deal with Iran to end the war stem not only from disagreements between the sides but also from an extraordinary situation inside Iran’s leadership itself — one that is significantly complicating diplomatic efforts, CBS reported.

According to the report, which cites US officials with knowledge of the matter, Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is hiding in an undisclosed location with little access to the outside world and can only be reached by a “labyrinth of couriers.”

The officials said this is one of the main reasons negotiations over the emerging agreement are progressing so slowly. When the US sends a proposal, the difficulties in reaching Khamenei result in long delays before the US receives a response.

According to the report, Khamenei is not the only Iranian leader who is in hiding. Most Iranian leaders never see daylight, spending most of their time in highly fortified bunkers and avoiding speaking to each other unless absolutely necessary, the sources said.

“Watching them try to figure out how to talk to each other is almost like watching a sitcom. They are completely exasperated,” one official said.

By design, even the most senior Iranian leaders are not aware of Khameini’s location and have no way to contact him directly.

“This is why you see people saying things like, ‘The supreme leader has agreed to the framework,’ or ‘We’re waiting to hear back on the final deal points.’ Every piece of information he receives is dated and there’s a lot of latency to his responses,” one official said.

Despite the difficulties, a senior US official said on Sunday that Khamenei had already approved the general framework of the current draft agreement.

President Trump wrote on Truth Social that he is in no rush to reach a deal as “time is on our side.”

“The negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side,” he wrote on Truth Social.

“The Blockade will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed. Both sides must take their time and get it right. There can be no mistakes!”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)