A serious split appears to be opening inside Iran’s leadership, with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Revolutionary Guards commander Ahmad Vahidi at odds over the handling of the war and its cost to Iran’s already strained economy, according to a report by Iran International citing sources familiar with the discussions.
The same sources described sharp disagreements over whether to escalate attacks and over whether the political leadership still has real control over decision-making. Pezeshkian has warned that without a ceasefire the Iranian economy could face total collapse within three to four weeks. He is also said to have asked for executive and administrative powers to be returned to the government after, in practice, passing into the hands of the security apparatus and the Revolutionary Guards.
That demand was rejected by Vahidi, who, according to the same sources, argued that the government had failed to push through structural reforms before the conflict began. The claims are based on anonymous sources and have neither been confirmed nor denied by Tehran.
The dispute does not appear to be an isolated episode. On March 7, Pezeshkian apologised to neighbouring countries for attacks he had effectively described as beyond his control and said orders had been given for them to stop unless Iran came under attack from their territory. However, the attacks continued soon after his statement, reinforcing the impression that the political leadership does not have the final say.
Reuters had already reported earlier this month that Pezeshkian’s assurances to Gulf states drew an immediate backlash from hardline factions, while analysts cited by Reuters and The National said decision-making now appeared to rest fully with the Revolutionary Guards rather than the civilian government.
The rift is widening as the war enters its fifth week and economic pressure appears to be intensifying. Iran International reported that cash machines in major cities were empty or out of service, electronic banking services had been disrupted and wage and benefit payments delayed, while inflation in basic goods had already reached triple-digit levels before the war and was rising further.
At the same time, London-based Asharq Al-Awsat reported that the weakening of key intermediary figures in Iran’s system had complicated decision-making in Tehran, limiting coordination between the state, the clergy and the military establishment. According to the report, the conflict is eroding not only Iran’s economy but also the internal cohesion of the regime itself.
(information from CNA)