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Thursday, Apr 23, 2026
Outside the box.
White House says US seeks unified Iranian response as ceasefire diplomacy continues amid internal divisions in Tehran
Washington insists Iran must present a single, coherent position on US proposals to end hostilities, as negotiations remain open without a fixed deadline
The United States has said it is seeking a unified response from Iran’s leadership regarding American proposals aimed at ending ongoing hostilities, according to the White House, which emphasised that negotiations remain active and flexible.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Donald Trump is focused on receiving a single, coherent position from Tehran, amid what US officials describe as significant internal divisions within Iran’s political system.
She characterised the situation as a split between pragmatic and hardline factions, arguing that this fragmentation has complicated Iran’s ability to present a consolidated negotiating stance.
The administration confirmed that no firm deadline has been set for Iran to respond to the latest US proposals, despite earlier reports suggesting a short time window.
Officials dismissed those claims, stressing that the timeline for a response would ultimately be determined by the president, depending on diplomatic progress.
Leavitt reiterated that the United States continues to maintain a ceasefire framework while awaiting Iran’s reply, and indicated that discussions over broader conflict resolution remain ongoing.
She also underscored that US proposals reportedly include significant security-related conditions, including measures linked to Iran’s nuclear programme and its stockpile of enriched material, which Washington has framed as central to any durable peace arrangement.
US officials have further suggested that Iran’s internal political dynamics are a key obstacle to progress, with Washington arguing that a unified position is necessary before substantive negotiations can advance.
The ceasefire extension, agreed in principle in recent days, remains in place as diplomatic channels continue.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides continuing to exchange messages through intermediaries while regional tensions persist.
Despite uncertainty over timing, US officials have signalled that they view the current phase as an opportunity to secure a structured diplomatic pathway toward ending the conflict.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Donald Trump is focused on receiving a single, coherent position from Tehran, amid what US officials describe as significant internal divisions within Iran’s political system.
She characterised the situation as a split between pragmatic and hardline factions, arguing that this fragmentation has complicated Iran’s ability to present a consolidated negotiating stance.
The administration confirmed that no firm deadline has been set for Iran to respond to the latest US proposals, despite earlier reports suggesting a short time window.
Officials dismissed those claims, stressing that the timeline for a response would ultimately be determined by the president, depending on diplomatic progress.
Leavitt reiterated that the United States continues to maintain a ceasefire framework while awaiting Iran’s reply, and indicated that discussions over broader conflict resolution remain ongoing.
She also underscored that US proposals reportedly include significant security-related conditions, including measures linked to Iran’s nuclear programme and its stockpile of enriched material, which Washington has framed as central to any durable peace arrangement.
US officials have further suggested that Iran’s internal political dynamics are a key obstacle to progress, with Washington arguing that a unified position is necessary before substantive negotiations can advance.
The ceasefire extension, agreed in principle in recent days, remains in place as diplomatic channels continue.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides continuing to exchange messages through intermediaries while regional tensions persist.
Despite uncertainty over timing, US officials have signalled that they view the current phase as an opportunity to secure a structured diplomatic pathway toward ending the conflict.
