Ghalibaf warns of Iranian internal divisions

Iran's Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has cautioned of internal divisions within the country's political establishment over how to manage the ongoing war with the US. The hardliner stated that while Iran has demonstrated its resilience against aggression in the past seven months, there are opposing perspectives on the most effective approach.

Ghalibaf argued that one faction advocates for continuous military pressure without a clear plan for ending the conflict, while the other side overestimates Iran's strength and suggests capitulation to the enemy's demands. Both approaches, according to Ghalibaf, represent strategic errors that could weaken the nation. The dispute echoes a recent public disagreement between Ghalibaf and a prominent hardline figure, Hossein Shariatmadari, who accused Ghalibaf of distancing himself from the revolutionary camp.

Ghalibaf dismissed these claims, emphasizing that negotiation is a legitimate tool for advancing Iran's national interests, despite his ongoing support for military pressure. The dispute has implications for the future of the Strait of Hormuz, a key issue in the conflict where Iran is considering various strategies, including discussions with Oman to restore some commercial traffic.

The disagreement among Iranian officials over the extent to which the country can leverage the strait while minimizing economic costs underscores the complexity of the situation. Ghalibaf's comments suggest the primary disagreement lies in how Iran should continue its existing policy of resistance, rather than whether to change that policy entirely.