Two months after the start of the war against the United States and Israel, Iran no longer had a single, undisputed spiritual arbiter at the top of power. It is a sharp break from traditions that could further harden Tehran’s position in upcoming talks with Washington, Reuters reports.
Since its founding in 1979, the Islamic Republic has been built around the institution of the Supreme Leader, who has the final say on all key state matters. But the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war and the rise of his son, Mojtaba, led to the formation of a new order. This system is dominated by commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and lacks a leader with decisive authority.
Although Mojtaba Khamenei officially remains at the top of the system, sources familiar with internal discussions say his role is largely limited to legitimizing decisions made by the generals, rather than issuing his own orders.
According to Iranian officials and analysts, the war effort has concentrated power in a narrower, more rigid circle, rooted in the Supreme National Security Council, the Supreme Leader’s office, and the IRGC. The latter now dominates both military strategy and major political decisions.
Analysts believe that the main obstacle to a deal is not internal divisions in Tehran, but the wide gap between Washington’s proposals and the IRGC’s demands.
Iran’s diplomatic face in the talks remains Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who was joined recently by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
However, the role of the central mediator “on the ground” has been taken on by the commander of the IRGC, Ahmad Vahidi. He is considered a key figure in the country, especially during the ceasefire declaration phase.
