New Delhi: A fierce conflict is unfolding between the US and Iran, shaking the very ground of the Middle East. Iran is continuously launching missiles and shells at US military bases. Meanwhile, conditions for internal unrest are brewing once again within Iran. Hardline factions have accused Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and top leaders involved in talks with the US of conspiring to stage a coup.
These groups claim that by striking a deal with the US, the government has compromised the fundamental principles of the Islamic Revolution and the directives of the Supreme Leadership. This resentment was also evident during the funeral procession of the country’s former Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
An angry crowd chanted slogans against Pezeshkian, labelling him an “appeaser” and calling for his downfall, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was pelted with stones and even branded a traitor. Araghchi is the very leader who negotiated the ceasefire and sanctions relief with the US.
Backlash Against Araghchi
During the funeral procession of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a mob of hardliners turned hostile toward Araghchi, chanting slogans against him. They attacked him with stones, calling him a traitor and a sellout. The situation escalated to the point where Araghchi had to flee to save his life from the furious crowd.
The situation went beyond mere slogans; Mohammad Ali Bakhshi, a hardline religious singer and government supporter, issued a direct death threat against the President at a public gathering. He declared, “Mr President, if the Supreme Leader’s conditions are not met, a blade will be in our hands, and your throat will be right in front of us.”
“We will make life a living hell for you.” At the heart of this brewing internal standoff in Iran lies the mysterious absence of the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. Since the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, he has neither addressed the nation nor participated in any public events. Government Embracing Hardliners
Meanwhile, Iran’s wartime leaders view these hardliners as a grave threat to national security and to the ongoing strategic negotiations with the United States. For this reason, Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf has begun distancing the government from these hardliners.
Rumours of a Coup Are Baseless
Nabavian, a prominent hardline MP in Iran, has been removed from the parliament’s National Security Committee. Nabavian had previously attempted to derail the ceasefire by leaking confidential documents regarding US negotiations to the media.
Collapse of Ceasefire Boosts Hardliners’ Morale
It is worth noting that the collapse of the temporary ceasefire with the US has significantly emboldened the hardliners. They are staunchly opposed to any agreement with the US and Israel and advocate for all-out war.
Sharing a highly dangerous idea on state television, former Iranian Foreign Minister and hardline leader Manouchehr Mottaki stated, “I suggest we attack any US military base in the region and take at least 100 American soldiers hostage, bringing them back to Iran.
