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Iran's far-right accuses Pezeshkian, top diplomats of plotting 'soft coup' amid leader's absence

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Iran's far-right Paydari Front party accuses President Pezeshkian and top diplomats of plotting a 'soft coup' during the absence of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
  • The party claims leaders are using Mojtaba Khamenei's unconfirmed absence to seize power, diminish the supreme leader's role, and disobey orders, particularly regarding nuclear negotiations.
  • These accusations highlight internal power struggles within Iran's leadership, contrasting with US President Trump's belief that new leaders are less radicalized.

Iran's hard-line Paydari Front party, self-proclaimed guardians of the 1979 revolution's values, has accused top officials of orchestrating a "soft coup." The party alleges that President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are exploiting the absence of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to consolidate power.

raise the banner of vengeance for his blood and stand firm against the coup

— Mahmoud NabavianA Paydari Front party member's call to action on social media in the days before former supreme leader Ali Khamenei’s funeral.

Paydari Front member Mahmoud Nabavian urged loyalists to "raise the banner of vengeance" and resist the alleged coup. The party claims that Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen publicly since a war broke out on February 28, allowing figures like Ghalibaf and Pezeshkian to act with increased autonomy. This perceived disobedience is seen as a direct challenge to the supreme leader's authority.

Mojtaba’s continued absence means that they don’t have access to him and also that Ghalibaf and allies are effectively in charge of the country… the ultra-hardliners have thus accused Ghalibaf and Pezeshkian of plotting a ‘coup’ against Mojtaba

— Arash AziziA US-based Iran expert explaining the hardliners' accusations to CNN.

Further accusations suggest that Iran's leadership is attempting to elevate the Supreme Council for National Security while undermining the supreme leader and parliament. Paydari Front member Kamran Ghazanfari specifically accused Ghalibaf of ignoring "three specific instructions" not to engage in nuclear negotiations, citing inconsistencies between Ghalibaf's claims of obedience and his actions.

They are trying to elevate the role of the Supreme Council for National Security while diminishing the role of the supreme leader and parliament

— Kamran GhazanfariA Paydari Front member accusing the leadership of undermining the supreme leader's authority.

Experts note that figures like Ghalibaf may be attempting to sideline hardliners due to their perceived high cost to the system and the "rivalries out in the open" amid Iran's unstable situation. This internal conflict challenges assumptions, like those of US President Donald Trump, that Iran's new leadership is less radical than its predecessors.

Those instructions were given on April 4, April 18 and in early May. Yet Ghalibaf claims that he follows and obeys the Supreme Leader, but his actions were inconsistent with that

— Kamran GhazanfariA Paydari Front member detailing alleged ignored instructions to Ghalibaf regarding nuclear negotiations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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