Inside the growing rift between Iran’s dealmakers and ultraconservatives

The relationship between Iran's negotiators and ultraconservatives has become increasingly strained. Two competing factions have emerged: those supporting a deal with the United States and those determined to prevent any agreement. President Masoud Pezeshkian and conservative Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf are now seeking an agreement with Washington, as they face mounting pressure from the ultraconservatives.

The latter fear that a deal could diminish their political influence and weaken their hold over Iran's future direction. Recently, leaked recordings have intensified the tensions. These recordings have fueled accusations that Supreme Leader Khamenei has endorsed the negotiations, contradicting the hard-line group's opposition. The public relations office of the supreme leader has denied these claims, but it is believed that Khamenei supports the negotiations and Ghalibaf.

Reformists argue that ultraconservatives seized control of Iran's leadership after President Ebrahim Raisi's death and aim to marginalize Pezeshkian and Ghalibaf. This will likely further weaken the supreme leader's position, as they seek to turn the two figures into political outcasts and force Khamenei to side with them.