{"id":345725,"date":"2026-06-13T19:15:38","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T18:15:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=345725"},"modified":"2026-06-13T19:32:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T18:32:22","slug":"economic-collapse-and-succession-leaks-trigger-internal-warfare-within-irans-ruling-elite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/nuclear\/economic-collapse-and-succession-leaks-trigger-internal-warfare-within-irans-ruling-elite\/","title":{"rendered":"Economic Collapse and Succession Leaks Trigger Internal Warfare Within Iran\u2019s Ruling Elite"},"content":{"rendered":"
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File photo: Iranian parliament (Majlis) descends into shouting and uproar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Three-minute read<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Iran\u2019s political architecture is experiencing a profound systemic shock following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei<\/span>. State media channels, including a June 10, 2026, broadcast of a speech by the regime’s president Masoud Pezeshkian, revealed that Khamenei explicitly permitted a continuation of diplomatic talks to resolve the “neither war nor peace” deadlock<\/span>. Pezeshkian argued that “war is certainly not to the benefit of the country,” drawing immediate condemnation from hardline elements<\/span>. On June 10, 2026, the Paydari<\/em> Front’s No-Bonyad<\/i> newspaper slammed<\/a> the president for a “calculation error,” accusing him of stoking internal division during an active military crisis and ignoring warnings from Mojtaba Khamenei regarding enemy psychological operations<\/span>. The shadow of an imminent agreement with the United States has severely aggravated this factional feud, proving that even the prospect of a deal triggers paralyzing internal shockwaves<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Legislative and media opposition to these potential diplomatic maneuvers highlights the regime’s acute vulnerability<\/span>. On June 12, 2026, National Security Committee member Mahmoud Nabaviyan debunked<\/a> claims of American retreat, calling descriptions of the potential treaty a “complete lie” that introduces tighter restrictions on Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and subjects uranium enrichment to US approval<\/span>. Concurrently, hardline MP Amir-Hossein Sabeti warned that those “addicted to negotiation” project weakness, prolonging a destabilizing cycle of war and truces<\/span>. Because the clerical establishment views its nuclear and regional posture as vital survival mechanisms, any final accord requiring genuine concessions on these core survival issues will inevitably trigger explosive internal upheaval<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

This internal anxiety is further illustrated by highly calculated, conflicting leaks regarding the secret Assembly of Experts session to appoint Khamenei’s successor<\/span>. On June 2, 2026, state media aired an account<\/a> by cleric Mohsen Heydari Ale-Kasir claiming Mojtaba Khamenei secured an 85 percent majority vote under immediate threats of an Israeli bombardment<\/span>. Conversely, on June 6, 2026, Jamaran News<\/i> released<\/a> a clip of cleric Pishnamazi dismissing all specific vote counts as “baseless rumors,” describing instead a chaotic three-hour security maneuver where members constantly switched vehicles to evade intelligence strikes before declaring a “decisive vote”<\/span>. Rather than demonstrating robust institutional backing for Mojtaba, the frantic timing and defensive tone of these disclosures\u2014leaked amidst existential external threats\u2014reveal a leadership plagued by panic and desperate to conceal a severe power vacuum<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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#Iran<\/a>\u2019s Leadership Unites Behind #Khamenei<\/a>\u2019s Hardline Stance Against U.S. Negotiationshttps:\/\/t.co\/cNKeSgWHql<\/a><\/p>\n

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 9, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n