The New York Times reports Iran’s traditional conservative–reformist divide has
been upended after the assassination of former supreme leader Khamenei, with the
conservative camp splitting into pragmatists who favor ending hostility with the
U.S. and opening the economy, and hardliners who reject concessions (including
on nuclear issues) and advocate prolonging the war. Four senior Iranian
officials and two IRGC members told the paper that public disagreements mask
deeper backstage ruptures as factions compete to win the allegiance of new
supreme leader Mujtaba. Pragmatists — reportedly including senior IRGC generals,
parliament speaker Qalibaf, President Pezeshkian and national security council
secretary Gen. Zolghadr — have gained the upper hand and have pushed for
accepting a ceasefire, direct talks with U.S. Vice President Vance and an
agreement with Trump. IRGC commanders have consolidated de facto governing power
since the war began, and Deputy Vice President for Administrative Affairs
Mohammad-Jafar Ghaempanah said the new supreme leader does not have final
decision authority, indicating a shift toward more collective decisionmaking.
