"The Iranians are doing the work for us": Leadership divided, people despairing - and Mojtaba remains silent
A senior Israeli security official said the Iranians "are doing the work for us," referring to their conduct in the Middle East and their attitude toward the US. He cited unprecedented statements by President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi, indicating a split in the Iranian leadership. Also reported were localized protests in Iran and the silence of Mojtaba Khamenei, considered an extremist opposed to negotiations with the US.
A senior Israeli security official said last night (Wednesday) that "the Iranians are doing the work for us," referring to Iranian conduct in the Middle East and its attitude toward the United States. According to him, the statements last week by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were unprecedented and reflected the central problem in the Iranian leadership. Araghchi spoke about his feelings during the elimination of Ali Khamenei, and Pezeshkian spoke about the economic war against Iran and its consequences, saying that if they had stopped fighting Israel after 20 days, Ali Larijani would have remained alive and the petrochemical and steel industries would not have been damaged. The official added that "it hurts them," and that localized protests are beginning to simmer. He noted that the stones thrown at participants in Khamenei's funeral were authentic and indicate a split in the leadership. The security establishment claims that in the past Khamenei would decide in disputes, but now the leadership is divided and Mojtaba Khamenei, considered an extremist opposed to negotiations with the US, is silent. There is disagreement over why Iran is not launching missiles at Israel; one source said they are deterred but are keeping the attack on the Israeli home front as an additional escalation step against the US.