Internal Conflicts Arise in Iran’s Government
Discontent is bubbling under the surface within Iran’s new government, with officials advocating for negotiations with the United States facing potential backlash, policy experts have noted. Those pushing for dialogue might be branded as traitors and risk being ousted from power.
Hushang Amirahmadi, who leads the US-Iran Council, mentioned that moderates seeking engagement with Washington seem more exposed now that the previous administration has mentioned connections with a “new” leadership in Iran. He expressed concern, saying, “If the moderates pursue negotiations and a ceasefire, they’ll likely be viewed as traitors and could be removed.”
This warning is particularly relevant as Washington attempts to address its own internal discrepancies amidst the ongoing conflict. President Donald Trump stated recently that significant negotiations are occurring with what he described as a “new” and “more rational” Iranian regime, although Secretary of State Marco Rubio refrained from identifying the specific groups involved, citing existing “rifts.”
Rubio said, “I’m not going to reveal who those people are because it could create problems with factions within Iran. There are indeed some internal rifts.” Amirahmadi emphasized that anyone discussing negotiations in Iran is often suspected of enabling further conflict and chaos, reflecting a broader sentiment in the current political landscape.
Prime Minister Amira Hammadi underscored Rubio’s observations, pointing to the ongoing power struggles in Tehran, where remnants of what he described as the “old regime” still linger. He noted that while many support negotiations, the new government leans more towards hardline positions, viewing moderate voices as traitorous.
Amirahmadi also remarked, “Assassinations have long been a reality in the Islamic Republic.” Speaking before Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s scheduled remarks, he stated that the U.S. remains firmly committed to finding a resolution to the ongoing conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Hegseth reiterated at a press conference that President Trump is keen on striking a deal to conclude the war, indicating that a new administration is now in place.
“If Iran is astute, it should strive for a deal,” Hegseth said. He expressed confidence that this new regime was more strategically minded than its predecessor. The control over the situation, as Amirahmadi pointed out, still lies predominantly with hardline elements and military figures.
Amirahmadi elaborated that the bureaucratic structure remains influenced by the old moderate government, yet the new regime is distinctly more radical. He raised concerns about the current direction of Iran’s leadership under the new dynamics following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
With the regime increasingly reliant on figures from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), such as Ahmad Vahidi and various judicial leaders, the political climate appears to be veering further towards radicalism. While some influential figures from the previous administration linger, the power structure seems increasingly dominated by military and hardline elements.
Amirahmadi warned that this shift has made negotiations less likely, especially under the young Khamenei’s leadership, which seems to be largely symbolic at this point. He concluded by stating, “Trump and Netanyahu want regime change, and while they have influenced changes, the regime has only become more radical.”
