{"id":346740,"date":"2026-07-21T18:23:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T17:23:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=346740"},"modified":"2026-07-21T18:23:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T17:23:01","slug":"factional-warfare-in-iran-over-war-and-survival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-a-world\/factional-warfare-in-iran-over-war-and-survival\/","title":{"rendered":"Factional Warfare in Iran Over War and Survival"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FILE PHOTO: Brawl between MPs in Iran\u2019s parliament (Majlis)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Four-minute read<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Iranian regime is currently experiencing intense internal friction<\/a> following the collapse of international agreements and recent military engagements. Rather than uniting the political establishment, the crisis has deepened divisions across virtually every level of the ruling establishment; individuals with opposing perspectives no longer neatly adhere to conventional political labels but instead differ fundamentally over how the regime can be preserved.<\/p>\n

These conflicts must not be confused with disagreements between political parties in a democratic system. None of the competing factions questions the survival of the theocratic dictatorship itself. They are rival clerical, military, security, and economic power networks\u2014effectively competing mafia-like gangs\u2014fighting over control of the state and over which combination of war, repression, negotiation, and tactical retreat can keep the system alive.<\/p>\n

This infighting is unfolding openly across state media, illustrating a high degree of polarization where both those who believe only war can save the regime and those who believe deceptive negotiations can view their domestic competitors as adversaries.<\/p>\n

The conflict escalated sharply when former President Mohammad Khatami advocated<\/a> for an “honorable peace,” stating that “warmongers walk the same path that Israel takes” and accusing proponents of perpetual conflict of endangering the state. This provoked an immediate and severe reaction from opponents. On July 19, 2026, Kayhan<\/em> editor-in-chief Hossein Shariatmadari denounced Khatami’s statements, claiming that proponents of negotiation were attempting to disguise a “dishonorable surrender” as peace. Shariatmadari explicitly labeled this camp a “fifth column” and demanded that the intelligence and judicial systems initiate a “decisive and regret-inducing crackdown” against them.<\/p>\n

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Iran\u2019s principal weakness is internal, so the solution must be too. Deep economic and social crises, widespread public rejection, intensifying factional divisions, and a weaker leadership have created fertile ground for change. An organized domestic resistance\u2014led by the\u2026<\/p>\n

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n