Should talks go ahead between the US and Iran this week, it appears likely they'll face the same impasse as last time - namely, that neither party actually in the room will be empowered to make an agreement.

Vice President JD Vance said of the last talks that the Iranian party, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, didn't have final say on Iran's position.

And reports also emerged that Vance needed to check in with Trump before taking a position.

Vance is reportedly set to head up the US side of negotiations again, while Araghchi will be on the Iranian team.

Iran's politics, however, are murky.

While Araghchi and parliamentary speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf have been the public face on the regime, posting jibes targeting Trump and the US on social media, control behind the scenes is believed to have shifted to the ultra-hardliners in the Revolutionary Guard.

The Institute for the Study of War, a non-profit policy research organisation, says Guard commander Major General Ahmad Vahidi (pictured) - a former defence minister who also once headed up the Guard's Quds force - has final say on negotiations.

"Iran is attempting to establish a protection racket in the Strait of Hormuz, likely to consolidate the IRGC's control over the strait and gain leverage over the United States in negotiations," the Institute said.

"Iran has reportedly decided to give vessels that pay a "security" fee and adhere to Iranian protocols priority to transit through the strait."

Vahidi has been wanted by Interpol for nearly 20 years over the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community centre in Argentina. The explosion killed 85 people.

He took over the leadership of the Guard after its former commander was killed in the recent conflict.

A farmer-owned dairy co-operative has announced it will increase farmgate milk prices by 5 cents a litre as farmers face "unprecedented" costs.

The increased payments, to 97c/L, will begin in May and Norco said it would deliver an extra $1 million into farmers' pockets each month.

They called on the wider industry to also support struggling producers.

Chief executive Michael Hampson said ongoing geopolitical uncertainty is placing sustained pressure on the sector, with fuel and fertiliser shortages driving sharp increases in input costs for farmers, and across the entire supply chain.

"These cost increases are unprecedented. Our farmers are paying double for diesel, triple for fertiliser and 40 per cent more for freight," Hampson said.

"These pressures are simply unsustainable without meaningful support across the supply chain - and this price increase is a small but important step in helping to offset those pressures."

Hampson acknowledged that Norco's milk price would increase but said extra costs would go back into the community.

"To put it into perspective, the increase will likely amount to no more than 30 cents per week for theaverage household – but that 30 cents will significantly ease the pressure on our farmers and helpsecure their livelihoods," he said.