Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has effectively assumed control of key state functions amid an apparent leadership vacuum and internal power struggle, a media report has claimed, even as Tehran denied US assertions about ongoing peace negotiations.
The development comes days after US President Donald Trump said talks to end the conflict with Iran were being held with “more moderate” leaders, a claim dismissed by Iranian authorities.
As per local media reports, the IRGC has taken de facto charge of governance amid tensions with President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is said to be facing a political deadlock.
The situation has been compounded by uncertainty surrounding Iran’s top leadership following reported US-Israeli strikes that allegedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei early in the conflict. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was subsequently named as Supreme Leader but has not been seen in public since, fuelling speculation about his condition.
While unverified reports suggest he may be critically ill, there has been no official confirmation from Iranian authorities. Messages attributed to the Supreme Leader have reportedly been broadcast on state television without his public appearance.
Amid the uncertainty, senior IRGC commanders are said to be operating through a “military council” that is taking key decisions on a daily basis. The report claimed that the IRGC has restricted access to Mojtaba Khamenei, with even senior government officials unable to establish direct contact.
Sources cited in the report alleged that requests by President Pezeshkian to meet the Supreme Leader have not been responded to, indicating a widening rift between the civilian leadership and the powerful military body.
The IRGC has also reportedly influenced key appointments. A recent proposal by Pezeshkian to appoint Hossein Dehghan as intelligence minister was said to have been blocked following intervention by IRGC chief Ahmad Vahidi, who assumed leadership after the death of a predecessor in the early phase of the conflict.
Tensions between the IRGC and the political leadership have reportedly intensified in recent days, with differences over military strategy and its economic impact. Iran’s economy has come under severe strain amid the ongoing conflict and disruptions to supply chains.
The IRGC, originally formed after the 1979 revolution, has steadily expanded its influence over decades, including across key sectors such as energy, banking, transport and real estate.
With uncertainty over the Supreme Leader’s condition, the force appears to have consolidated its position further, including control over strategic assets such as the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.
There has been no official response from Iranian authorities to the specific claims in the report.
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