Despite widespread characterisations of Iran’s leadership as fractured, a senior Pakistani security analyst tells Al Jazeera that Tehran is speaking with one voice when it comes to negotiations with the US.

“I would beg to differ with the characterisation that it is fractured,” said Maria Sultan, director general of the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute and adviser to Pakistan’s Defence Ministry.

“On the core agenda, what they want to achieve and how they want to move forward, there seems to be unanimity of thought within the Iranian leadership,” Sultan said. “Decision making has become more consensus-based, more communicative, and more inclusive.”

“From Islamabad’s perspective, we are hearing unanimity of thought and progress with regards to negotiations being held here,” she added.