Iran’s Political Divide: Hardliners and Moderates Weigh US Deal Amid Deepening Factional Rows

Tehran, Iran – Reaching the memorandum of understanding with the United States has proven a volatile process, and the recent announcement does not guarantee smooth implementation ahead of the planned signing in Switzerland this Friday.

Iranian factional tensions are expected to intensify throughout the coming months as the deal moves through the implementation phase.

Below is an overview of Iran’s political leadership positions and their conditions for avoiding what they view as “capitulation” to the United States and Israel.

Mojtaba Khamenei

The new supreme leader assumed power following his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death in an air strike on February 28, reportedly sustaining injuries himself. While he has not appeared publicly, written statements attributed to him have focused on maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz and protecting Iran’s nuclear and missile programs as non-negotiable “national assets.”

This positioning has generated differing interpretations among stakeholders. The ultraconservative Keyhan newspaper—established with senior Khamenei’s direct oversight—suggested in an Tuesday editorial that the leader’s omission of nuclear references signals the issue may be “closed,” despite U.S. and Israeli attacks aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program.

“We are at a critical juncture in the history of the West Asia region, so there is no room for weakness or error, and no one has the right to undermine or, God forbid, surpass the red lines of the supreme leader,” Keyhan cautioned.

IRGC and Security Apparatus

Despite significant casualties among senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and security officials during the conflict, remaining commanders are central to shaping U.S. negotiations.

IRGC chief Ahmad Vahidi and Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters leaders have emphasized readiness to resume military operations if necessary, though they have avoided commenting on the deal’s specific provisions.

After decades of building an “axis of resistance” across the region to counter U.S. and Israeli influence, these officials stress Tehran will not abandon allies like Hezbollah in Lebanon, whose protection must be incorporated into any agreement.

Qaani Esmail, commander of the Quds Force overseeing regional operations, made his first public appearance in months following the memorandum announcement. During a state television interview, he asserted that strategic waterways including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait are secured by Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthis, and other resistance factions.

Qaani also publicly supported chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other team members after hardliners criticized their deal acceptance.

Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker and former IRGC commander, represents a more pragmatic conservative faction backing negotiations. Following April’s ceasefire with the U.S., he acknowledged Iran’s military limitations while suggesting mutual benefit remains achievable through battlefield achievements.

As Supreme National Security Council secretary, IRGC General Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr has affirmed Tehran will not compromise core positions, though the SNSC ultimately ratified and announced the U.S. understanding.

Hardliners

Hardline establishment figures oppose any major concessions to U.S. President Donald Trump, whom they blame for ordering strikes that killed former Leader Khamenei and Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020.

Their demands include preserving nuclear program control, maintaining Strait of Hormuz dominance with potential transit fees, and expelling U.S. forces from the region.

This camp includes numerous Iranian parliament members and figures from the Paydari Front led by Saeed Jalili, a longtime Khamenei representative and SNSC member with a history of failed Western negotiations.

Jalili reportedly faced sidelining ahead of the deal announcement, though authorities have not confirmed this.

Keyhan newspaper and IRGC-affiliated outlets including Tasnim, Fars, and Mehr have maintained hostile editorial positions against the United States.

Government and Reformists

President Masoud Pezeshkian’s government holds diminished influence as hardliners outside formal institutions wield greater decision-making power.

Still, Pezeshkian—believed supportive of the deal—and SNSC voting members like Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi back negotiated settlement that secures Iranian interests through sanctions relief.

Reformist and moderate voices including former presidents Hassan Rouhani and Mohammad Khatami, plus ex-foreign minister Javad Zarif, have been largely marginalized since leaving office. They continue advocating negotiated solutions to end hostilities and address economic collapse risks.

“Now is the time for the united support of the people—both supporters and critics of the system—to unite in supporting the negotiations and the negotiators, and to move towards an agreement, lasting peace, and a life free from fear and war,” Khatami stated after the memorandum announcement.