Is Iran Really United? Secret Letter To Mojtaba Exposes Cracks In Leadership, Nuclear Talks Dispute

Last Updated:April 25, 2026, 11:45 IST

Mojtaba Khamenei had reportedly set a red line, instructing officials not to discuss the nuclear issue with the United States during war negotiations.

Questions are being raised over whether Iran’s recent public display of unity is carefully managed, as reports suggest the country is facing a deep economic crisis in wake of the war with US-Israel which began on February 28. The issue gained attention after US President Donald Trump claimed there were divisions within Tehran’s leadership.

In response, senior Iranian leaders issued coordinated statements denying any split. However, accounts circulating in Iranian political circles and reports cited by opposition outlet Iran International suggest a more complex situation behind the scenes.

Secret letter to Mojtaba raises concerns

At the centre of the controversy is a reportedly confidential letter sent by senior officials to Mojtaba Khamenei. The letter warned that Iran’s economic situation had become severe and unsustainable, leaving little choice but to engage seriously with the United States over the nuclear issue.

The document was not intended for public release and was addressed privately. It reportedly included signatures from senior figures such as Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Mostafa Pourmohammadi. Some officials are said to have refused to sign it, including Ali Bagheri Kani, whose name has since surfaced in discussions.

The letter is now seen by many observers as a sign of a growing divide within the leadership over whether to negotiate or continue confrontation.

Reports say that the confidential document was later shown to figures outside the restricted circle. This alleged leak led to strong reactions.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s aide Jalil Mohebbi issued a warning on social media, stating that anyone who disclosed a classified government letter could face up to 10 years in prison under Iranian law. He described the offence as “unforgivable".

A Telegram channel also referred to an “important confidential letter" and questioned why some officials were communicating directly with senior figures of the system.

Trump’s claims and Tehran’s response

The developments came soon after Trump said Iranian officials were “fighting like cats and dogs" over negotiations with Washington.

Iranian leaders quickly rejected this claim. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said there were no divisions, adding, “In Iran there are no hardliners or moderates. We are all Iranian and revolutionary."

Masoud Pezeshkian echoed the same message, stressing unity and loyalty. Judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei dismissed the idea of factions, calling such labels “absurd and baseless".

Nuclear talks at the centre

The reported dispute is closely linked to nuclear negotiations. Before talks began, Mojtaba Khamenei had reportedly set a red line, instructing officials not to discuss the nuclear issue with the United States.

However, negotiators could not avoid the topic, as it remains central to any serious dialogue with Washington. This decision appears to have angered hardline lawmakers.

Mahmoud Nabavian, Member of Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, said the negotiating team made a “strategic mistake" by going against the Leader’s instructions. He added that even if the naval blockade is lifted, negotiations with the US should not take place.

Amir Hossein Sabeti made similar claims, stating that discussing the nuclear issue crossed a clear red line.

The dispute has also surfaced in the media. Nour News, linked to the Supreme National Security Council, warned that a “dangerous current" was trying to portray some officials as favouring “surrender and compromise". This suggests that disagreements have moved beyond private discussions into the public sphere.

Experts, quoted by Iran International, said the situation resembles a key moment in Iran’s history. In 1988, senior officials warned Ruhollah Khomeini that the Iran-Iraq war could not continue. He then accepted a UN resolution and ended the conflict, describing it as a painful decision.

Iran’s public messaging continues to stress unity. Yet the sequence of events – the secret letter, its leak, legal threats, and criticism from hardliners – points to deep disagreements within the leadership.

For now, the key question is can Iran manage its economic crisis without a nuclear deal, or will it have to negotiate despite internal resistance?

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