The U.S.-Israeli war on the Islamic Republic has fractured Iran’s leadership and hindered its ability to coordinate negotiations, officials familiar with U.S. and Western intelligence told The New York Times on Monday.
Several dozen top Iranian officials and their deputies have been eliminated in “Operation Epic Fury/Roaring Lion,” leaving surviving leaders struggling to communicate or meet in person out of fear of more targeted airstrikes, the report said.

Compromised communications have fueled confusion and mistrust among remaining officials, who are increasingly reluctant to use phones or other messaging systems, according to the intelligence briefings. The disruption was also said to have weakened coordination between the regime’s military and civilian leadership.

U.S. officials told the Times that hardliners within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have gained influence, sidelining Tehran’s clerical leadership.