Talks with US – conflict escalates in Iran's top leadership
A power struggle is intensifying within Iran's ruling circles between conservative factions. Radical forces, including the 'Front of Islamic Revolution Stability' ('Peydari'), are trying to curtail the powers of parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, aiming to shift the center of foreign policy decision-making toward the IRGC and ideological bodies under the Supreme Leader's control.
A fierce power struggle is unfolding within Iran's ruling circles, exposing deep divisions among various factions of the conservative wing. At the center of the confrontation is parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, whose powers radical political and religious figures are trying to significantly curtail. Pressure on the speaker and the leadership of the Foreign Ministry, including its head Abbas Araghchi, is increasing daily. Ghalibaf's opponents are dissatisfied with his active involvement in foreign policy, his growing influence in the diplomatic sphere, negotiations, and contacts with foreign partners, including China. Among the key factions advocating for a redistribution of influence is the ultra-conservative movement 'Front of Islamic Revolution Stability' ('Peydari'), whose representatives have traditionally opposed diplomatic compromises with the West. Radical religious figures in religious centers like Qom have also become more active, calling for a review of the state structure. The main goal of the hardliners is to shift the center of key foreign policy decisions toward the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and ideological governing bodies under the direct control of the Supreme Leader. The unfolding power struggle is a large-scale contest over the direction and leadership of Iran's future development.