Iran’s president and foreign minister faced physical attacks this week from supporters of a hard-line faction. This group strongly opposes any agreement with the United States.
Recent events have intensified existing divisions within Iran’s leadership. A faction supports negotiations with Washington, while hard-liners vehemently oppose a deal.
The group advocating talks blames the United States for not adhering to the truce agreement. President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized Washington on Wednesday for “bullying rivals, creating obstacles and cheating.”
Hard-liners have expressed anger towards Iran’s president and negotiation team. Tensions are increasing both within the country and beyond.
These issues coincide with the weeklong funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Ceremonies were held in five cities across Iran and Iraq. As the funeral continued, hard-liners targeted government officials. Khamenei’s body was in Najaf, Iraq, when American airstrikes occurred. The body was expected in Iran for burial in Mashhad on Thursday.
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