Top advisers to US President Donald Trump believe that the rift in Iran's current leadership is the main reason why Tehran is not continuing negotiations, CNN reports, citing three unnamed officials.
They stated that the Trump administration came to the conclusion partly based on reports from Pakistani intermediaries.
Officials say an additional problem is that it is not clear whether new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is giving his subordinates clear instructions or whether they have to work without specific instructions.
Khamenei was wounded at the beginning of the US-Israeli-Iran war and has not appeared in public since.
One official said that despite significant obstacles, it is still possible that US and Iranian negotiators will meet soon, but it is highly uncertain.
The American and Iranian delegations were expected to continue negotiations in Islamabad yesterday, but the meeting did not take place.
A meeting was held at the White House to discuss next steps.
Trump and his associates decided to extend the ceasefire.
The US president has indicated that it will last until Wednesday evening, according to CNN.
The US Navy continues to block ships entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran insists that the US lift the blockade before a new round of negotiations, which Trump rejects.
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