Iran's Supreme Leader Grants Government Powers for US Talks to Avert War

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has granted the government additional powers to negotiate with the United States, as Tehran seeks a diplomatic solution to end the war and avoid renewed hostilities. President Masoud Pezeshkian announced the decision Monday, stating the government aims to resolve the conflict through dialogue. Indirect negotiations continue via Qatari and Pakistani mediators, though recent talks in Doha ended without decisive progress, with a new proposal draft currently circulating. The diplomatic push follows reports that US Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei, who confirmed receiving it. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister described consultations as "very intense," and Russia and China have both urged against further military escalation.