Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei “is not in Iran”, according to an Israeli security source cited by Saudi outlet Al-Hadath on Sunday. After this there were reports of a major internal power struggle in Tehran.Khamenei, who was appointed supreme leader shortly after his father was assassinated in US-Israeli strikes on February 28, has made no public appearances since taking office and has communicated exclusively through written statements. He was even absent from his father’s funeral. Sources quoted by Reuters claim he is still recovering from seriously disfiguring injuries.The Israeli source told Al-Hadath that Khamenei’s official messages were written by newly appointed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Ahmed Vahidi, as well as other high-ranking IRGC members.“Iran’s internal divisions run deep and threaten the existence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” the source was quoted as saying.
‘Soft coup’ allegations
Amid the ongoing military standoff between the US and Iran, reports indicate that a major internal power struggle has erupted in Tehran, alienating ultra-radical factions from the country’s more moderate public administration. According to a CNN report, fundamentalist elements have accused the ruling leadership of carrying out a “soft coup” after the conclusion of the 14-point diplomatic agreement with the US.This political instability erupted into public hostility during the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was forced to flee the procession with his team after being targeted with stones by the angry mob.A crowd of mourners occupied the site, chanting “Death to the Compromisers” and labeling the officials “traitor sellouts” to express their disapproval of the diplomatic settlement.
blame radical leadership
Hardline factions believe the government effectively surrendered by signing an agreement rather than launching attacks to avenge the assassination of the late leader, which violates express orders from the Supreme Leader. “Warning to the people of Iran: Is a coup imminent?”. Radical lawmaker Mahmoud Nabavian was interrogated ten days before the funeral.After the ceremonies, he posted: “In these moments of farewell to the martyred Imam, we raise the flag of vengeance for his blood and stand firmly against the coup.”
GhalibafPezeshkian, Araghchi in charge
With the prolonged absence of Mojtaba Khamenei, chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, President Massoud Pezeshkian and Araghchi have become the most prominent figures running post-war Iran, leaving hardliners increasingly isolated and angry.“Mojtaba’s continued absence means they do not have access to them and also that Ghalibaf and allies are effectively in charge of the country – ultra-hardliners have thus accused Ghalibaf and Pezeshkian of plotting a ‘coup’ against Mojtaba,” US-based Iran researcher Arash Azizi told CNN.Concurrently, radicals accuse the visible leadership of systematically weakening traditional state bodies in order to maintain their control.The Israeli source also said that the US does not want Israel to participate in attacks on Iran, even if Tehran attacks Israel.