The first day of talks between the United States and Iran took place Sunday in Switzerland, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan. These “historic” discussions mark a significant shift, with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf leading the Iranian delegation. Ghalibaf is considered a trusted figure by both the current Supreme Leader and, crucially, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. This signals an increased role for the Guard Corps in Iranian decision-making and foreign policy. The presence of Ghalibaf suggests the Guard Corps are now the primary power brokers within the Iranian regime. Vice President J.D. Vance described the negotiations as historic, indicating the high stakes involved in these initial discussions. The talks’ outcome remains uncertain, but the composition of the Iranian team highlights a hardening of positions.