Iran’s IRGC seems to be fighting Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi

Key Points:

• The status of the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain, with conflicting signals from Iran; while the foreign minister declared it open for commercial vessels following a ceasefire, the IRGC and affiliated media have publicly disputed this claim, highlighting internal regime divisions.
• Iran’s IRGC-linked Tasnim News criticized Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for prematurely announcing the Strait’s reopening without proper coordination, emphasizing that passage depends on armed forces’ oversight and could be revoked if the US blockade persists.
• Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that the Strait will not remain open if the US blockade continues, signaling a hardline stance within Iran’s leadership and complicating ongoing US-Iran negotiations in Pakistan.
• International reactions remain cautious, with British and US officials stating that normal shipping traffic through the Strait has not resumed despite the ceasefire, underscoring ongoing regional instability and market volatility linked to the Strait’s status.
• The public disagreement within Iran’s regime marks a shift from previous opaque tactics to more visible internal conflict, posing challenges for diplomatic efforts and raising questions about how the US and its allies will navigate this evolving situation.