Iran’s hardliners warn of a ‘coup’ as US truce comes under pressure

Key Points:

• Iran’s hardline factions are accusing wartime leaders who negotiated a ceasefire with the US of staging a soft coup against the Islamic Republic, amid the new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s absence from public view.
• At Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s funeral, hardliners openly criticized officials like President Masoud Pezeshkian and diplomat Abbas Araghchi, chanting threats and forcing Araghchi to flee due to hostile crowds.
• Hardliners believe the current leadership has betrayed revolutionary ideals by signing a truce with Washington and accuse them of consolidating power while sidelining the supreme leader and parliament.
• Despite internal divisions, the regime remains focused on ending the war with the US on terms that preserve sanctions relief and control over the Strait of Hormuz, though hardliners push for renewed conflict.
• Efforts by visible leaders like Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to marginalize radical hardliners are underway, as these factions continue to wield influence in parliament and state media, advocating for aggressive policies against the US and Israel.