The Iran war is leading to ruptures between the military and civilian leadership in the country. According to reports, disagreements have surfaced between the Iranian resident Masoud Pezeshkian and the chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ahmad Vahidi, over how Tehran should manage the ongoing war and its worsening economic consequences.
A report by Iran International claims that Pezeshkian has been increasingly critical of the IRGC’s strategy of continuing military strikes on neighbouring countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and others.
The report claims that the Iranian president has warned that the country’s economy could collapse within weeks if hostilities continue in the region.
Masoud Pezeshkian Warns Iran’s Economy Will Collapse
Pezeshkian has reportedly said that Iran’s economic situation is deteriorating rapidly due to the war. According to the report, he warned that without an immediate ceasefire, the country’s economy could face “total collapse” within three weeks to a month.
The internal power struggle reportedly became visible last Thursday when Pezeshkian attempted to nominate a new intelligence minister. He did not succeed after IRGC chief Ahmad Vahidi intervened and rejected all of the president’s proposed candidates, including Hossein Dehghan.
The report quotes sources claiming that Vahidi insisted that key leadership roles remain under IRGC oversight during wartime. The IRGC is effectively preventing the president from appointing his preferred nominee.
Under Iran’s political structure, the president typically submits the name of an intelligence minister for approval by the Supreme Leader, who holds ultimate authority over national security matters.
IRGC Takes Control
According to the report, a council of senior IRGC officers has taken control of the central decision-making structure. The group is also reportedly managing access to the office of Mojtaba Khamenei.
The arrangement has reportedly blocked key government updates from reaching him, further strengthening the Guard’s influence over the country’s state affairs.
According to the report, the “military council” composed of senior IRGC officials is now exercising full authority over core decision-making processes. The council is said to have established a security cordon around Mojtaba Khamenei, preventing government reports on the country’s situation from reaching him.
Mojtaba Khamenei Sidelines Pezeshkian
Reports claim that Pezeshkian has repeatedly sought an urgent meeting with Mojtaba Khamenei in recent days. However, according to the report, all such requests have gone unanswered and no direct contact has been established.
The developments have also fuelled speculation regarding Mojtaba Khamenei’s health condition and whether it may be contributing to the current power dynamics within the country’s leadership structure.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday praised what he described as the “enormous accomplishments” achieved during the ongoing conflict with Iran.
“Now, I want to tell you: Over the years, all of this has cost Iran nearly a trillion dollars. And now it can be said: That trillion has gone down the drain,” he claimed.