Recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz have raised critical questions about who truly governs Iran and the coherence of its foreign policy. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has demonstrated its dominance, enforcing military actions that contradict diplomatic overtures made by officials like Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. This duality suggests that Iran's foreign policy is shaped by a complex interplay of power among various institutions rather than a unified front. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War indicate that the IRGC's influence has grown, sidelining more moderate voices within the Iranian government. As the U.S. delegation, led by JD Vance, heads to Pakistan for negotiations, the lack of a clear Iranian commitment to talks reflects the uncertainty over which internal factions hold decision-making power. The Hormuz incident illustrates that external actors must navigate a landscape of competing influences within Iran, complicating efforts to engage in meaningful negotiations.