The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a Washington, DC-based think tank, has assessed that recent statements from Iranian leadership reflect a coordinated response to external pressures from the United States. The report indicates that US President Donald Trump's communications have prompted a unified response from Iran's government, aimed at addressing internal regime dynamics and accusations of moderation. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's acknowledgment of various officials' statements signifies an attempt to demonstrate unity and quell internal competition between pragmatic and hardliner factions. However, Khamenei's ability to influence decision-making is reportedly hampered by health issues, as he relies heavily on guidance from senior commanders, particularly Major General Ahmad Vahidi of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Vahidi's hardline stance emphasizes the importance of maintaining Iranian sovereignty and the nuclear program, viewing negotiations with the US as futile. This analysis underscores the Iranian regime's prioritization of ideological purity over the economic welfare of its citizens.