Iran political deadlock? IRGC assumes 'de facto control' amid war with US, Israel war
Iran political deadlock: The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps have reportedly taken over the control of key functions of the state, pushing President Masoud Pezeshkian into what they describe as a 'complete political deadlock'.
The military has reportedly built a heavily secured perimeter around the core of Iran's leadership structure and blocke presidential appointments and policy decisions.
According to the sources familiar with the matter, Pezeshkian's efforts to appointing a new intelligence minister last Thursday collapsed following direct intervention from IRGC.
As per Iran's political structure, the president make key appointments after consultation with the Supreme Leader, who has supreme authority over key portfolios. However in view of the conflict situation and uncertainty over Mojtaba Khamenei's present, the leadership is reeling under power unrest.
The sources further said that IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi suggested under current wartime conditions, all sensitive and strategic posts must be controlled directly by the IRGC until further notice.
The same sources also said that such arrangement has been preventing the reports from reaching the Supreme Leader's inner circle, mounting concerns over functioning of the governance structures.
Meanwhile days into the war, Ali Khamenei's son, Mojtaba, was named as the Supreme Leader. However, he has not been seen or heard from since.
Speculations rife that Mojtaba may have died. Latest reports, however, claim the Supreme Leader was likely in a coma. Trump has suggested that Mojtaba might be in a critical condition, while US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted that he was "disfigured".
- With inputs from agencies
