Iran's Guards assume ‘de facto control’ of government, president pushed into ‘political deadlock’: Report

The report says that growing friction between the Pezeshkian administration and Iran’s military leadership has left the president in a “political deadlock”.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have assumed “de facto control” of the government, taking charge of key state functions and pushing President Masoud Pezeshkian into a “complete political deadlock”, a news report by Iran International said.

Members of the security forces stand guard on armoured vehicles plastered with portraits of Ali Khamenei (L and R) and of his son, Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, during the funerals of IRGC commanders, army commanders and others. (AFP)

This comes during an ongoing military conflict between Iran and the United States, backed by Israel, which has lasted for more than a month. The Islamic Republic has also faced the loss of several senior leaders, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with strikes on major military facilities during the war. Follow US-Iran war live updates here.

The report says that growing friction between the Pezeshkian administration and Iran’s military leadership has left the president in a “complete political deadlock”. As a result, the Revolutionary Guard has effectively taken charge of key state functions.

The IRGC has reportedly stopped presidential appointments and decisions. It has also put in place a strong security layer around the centre of power, pushing the government out of executive authority.

Attempts by Masoud to appoint a new intelligence minister last Thursday failed due to direct pressure from IRGC chief commander Ahmad Vahidi, sources told the publication.

All suggested names, including Hossein Dehghan, were turned down. Vahidi is said to have maintained that, given the wartime situation, all important and sensitive leadership roles must be chosen and handled directly by the IRGC until further notice.

Under Iran’s political system, presidents have usually put forward names for the intelligence minister only after getting approval from the Supreme Leader, who has final authority over key security matters.

Who’s in charge now?

Pezeshkian has reportedly tried several times in recent days to seek an urgent meeting with Mojtaba, but there has been no response, and no contact has been established.

Sources told the media outlet that a “military council” made up of senior IRGC officers is now fully controlling the main decision-making system.

It has created a security cordon around Khamenei Jr and is blocking government reports about the country’s situation from reaching him.