According to Reuters today, divisions have begun to emerge among Iran's main decision-makers regarding the country's strategic direction. First, a letter of apology from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian regarding his air strikes against Gulf states has been strongly opposed by other hardline decision-makers within Iran.
More notably, according to a senior Iranian official who declined to be named, the rift has even spread to the current three-member interim governing committee, of which Pezeshkian is also a member. Pezeshkian has publicly criticized at least one member of the committee for promising to reduce attacks on neighboring Gulf countries.
This matter, along with the hasty appointment of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, to succeed his father, indicates that the rift between the hardliners and moderates within the Iranian ruling class is deepening, and there is increasing doubt about whether Ayatollah's son can perform the role as effectively as his father and bridge these divides.
Comment: The current situation in Iran is not simply a difference of opinion, but rather a split at the top of power, with the country being torn apart by two opposing forces. On one side are the moderates represented by the president, who want to lower their heads and ease tensions to leave a path for the country's survival; on the other side are the hardliners and the Revolutionary Guard, who not only want to fight to the end but also rush to transfer power to Khamenei's son, completely suppressing voices calling for peace. Even the interim governing committee is openly fighting and undermining each other, indicating that Iran no longer has unified command or a unified stance. While Trump outside is wildly praising military achievements and pushing forward step by step, the inside is struggling for power and consuming itself.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1859059291595851/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.