Iranian leadership divided as hard-liners sabotage negotiations, Khameni still unseen – report

A New York Times report, citing Iranian officials and IRGC members, indicates deep divisions within Iran's leadership, with hard-liners actively sabotaging negotiations with the US. This internal conflict is exacerbated by the prolonged absence of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen since his March appointment. President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed doubts about the veracity of messages issued in Khamenei's name and even questioned if he was truly speaking with Khamenei during purported meetings.

• The July firing on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz was reportedly carried out by spymaster cleric Hossein Taeb without authorization from the IRGC commander-in-chief, President Pezeshkian, or the Supreme National Security Council.
• Following these strikes, accusations of treason and betrayal led Khamenei to appoint Gen. Mohsen Rezaei to mediate between factions, but divisions persist.
• Hard-line generals are advocating for escalating conflict with the US, presenting a war plan involving intensified attacks by Iran and its allies.
• Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Gen. Mohammad Bagher-Ghalibaf warn that escalation risks economic disaster and further US airstrikes. As of last Saturday, hardliners gained the upper hand, with Iran deciding to escalate the war.