A report in the Wall Street Journal alleges that Ahmad Vahidi, the newly appointed commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), repeatedly challenged the authority of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian during indirect negotiations with the United States. Vahidi reportedly advocated for a more aggressive stance toward Washington, pushing for preconditions and resisting compromises. The report claims he frequently linked Iran’s positions to those of its allies in Lebanon, specifically Hezbollah. Furthermore, Vahidi allegedly supported striking Israel and Gulf states, despite objections from other Iranian leaders who favored a more cautious approach. These actions suggest a potential internal power struggle within Iran regarding its foreign policy and nuclear negotiations. The WSJ report indicates a significant divergence in strategy between Vahidi and the government’s official negotiating team.