In Iran, a "fierce struggle" is underway for influence over the spiritual leader, NYT
06-07-2026 13:00 Iran World News
Azatutyun. Following the assassination of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the public disagreements among political forces indicate a deeper rift within the country's leadership, writes The New York Times, citing four senior Iranian officials and two representatives of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
According to the publication, various political factions are in a "fierce struggle" for influence over the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has yet to appear in public since being injured on the first day of the war. While the main confrontation in Iran was previously centered between conservatives and reformists, the rift has now also spread within the conservative camp, the newspaper notes.
The New York Times' sources claim that a more pragmatic group is currently in a leading position, including senior IRGC commanders, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr. According to the newspaper's sources, this group has secured the ceasefire and initiated negotiations with the U.S., while hardliners oppose any concessions to Washington.
The newspaper notes that Iran's spiritual leader Mojtaba Khamenei did not attend his father's funeral ceremony in Tehran, fearing that Israel might target him. According to sources, his absence further increases the uncertainty surrounding the country's new leadership.
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In turn, The Washington Post notes that Ali Khamenei's death has not weakened Iran's leadership but has led to the strengthening of the influence of security forces, primarily the IRGC.
At the same time, according to the newspaper, civilian politicians, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, have been pushed to the background.
* This text was automatically translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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