Hardliners in Tehran are running the show while the Iran's supreme leader watches – opinion

Following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 2026, Iran's political landscape has shifted, with some analysts believing the country has transformed into a military-backed oligarchy. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is seen by many as exercising total control, with the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, perceived as a puppet. Real power is reportedly held by three IRGC hardliners: Brig.-Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, and Mohsen Rezaei, who oppose negotiations with the US and actively thwart President Masoud Pezeshkian's efforts for de-escalation. Incidents like the July 6 attack on commercial vessels and the censorship of state television broadcasts, including an interview with chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, highlight the hardliners' influence and the ongoing power struggle. These events suggest a multi-layered contest for supremacy among the Supreme Leader, the IRGC, the President, and senior IRGC-aligned political figures.