Iran's Hardliners Cry 'Soft Coup' Amid Missing New Leader, US Deal Backlash

Iran's political landscape is boiling over with hardline factions publicly accusing the country's visible leadership of orchestrating a 'soft coup,' all while the newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, remains mysteriously out of public sight. These explosive allegations erupted during the funeral of his assassinated father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, where senior officials faced chants of 'death to the compromiser' and even physical assaults over a controversial peace agreement signed with the United States. This internal power struggle throws a wrench into Tehran efforts to navigate an escalating 'US-Iran war' that has seen intensified strikes and a suspended truce. The accusations center on key figures like President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, whom hardliners claim are consolidating power by weakening traditional institutions and making concessions to Washington, effectively sidelining the new Supreme Leader. Mojtaba Khamenei prolonged absence since his selection by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-influenced Assembly of Experts has fueled suspicions, suggesting a deliberate attempt to reshape Iran's political order amidst wartime conditions. This internal rift exposes deep fault lines within Iran's ruling elite, with hardliners rejecting any diplomatic overtures seen as a betrayal of revolutionary principles and a surrender to external pressure. As Iran grapples with the fallout from the suspended peace memorandum and fresh US airstrikes, particularly targeting energy infrastructure in Abadan, the visibility and authority of Mojtaba Khamenei will be a critical indicator. Observers will be watching closely to see if he re-emerges to assert control or if the 'soft coup' allegations gain further traction, potentially cementing a new power dynamic heavily influenced by the IRGC and the 'moderate leadership' in Tehran. The trajectory of this internal struggle will profoundly impact Iran's stance in the ongoing conflict and its regional stability.