Sources within Iran report that President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf want to remove Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi from his position. The officials allegedly believe Araghchi has been following orders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps instead of implementing official government policy, according to Thursday reports.
The Jerusalem Post referenced Iran International, an opposition news source, stating that both Pezeshkian and Ghalibaf have become frustrated with how Araghchi manages diplomatic affairs and international negotiations. According to these sources, the two leaders suspect Araghchi operates under guidance from Ahmad Vahidi, who commands the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, rather than answering to presidential authority.
Sources indicate that Pezeshkian has privately told associates he might fire Araghchi if the foreign minister keeps acting without proper supervision. This conflict appears to be connected to a larger internal battle within Iran’s government regarding diplomatic relations with America and policies concerning Tehran’s allied groups throughout the region.
These tensions allegedly emerged during recent negotiations between the United States and Iran. Iran International reported that internal disagreements within Iran’s negotiating team led to their departure from talks on April 12. According to the report, Araghchi had appeared open to potentially reducing or ending Iran’s financial and military assistance to what they call the Axis of Resistance, which includes Hezbollah, but this drew criticism from Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, who serves as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and previously commanded Revolutionary Guard forces.
US Vice President JD Vance subsequently appeared on Fox News, explaining that American negotiators discovered the Iranian delegation lacked authority to complete any agreement without first returning to Tehran for approval “from the supreme leader or somebody else.”
This reported division illustrates the ongoing power struggle within Iran between democratically elected government bodies and security organizations that remain loyal to the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps maintains significant influence over Iran’s international relations, regional military activities, and assistance to armed allies across Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza.
