Iran hardliners accuse Pezeshkian of 'soft coup' amid Khamenei absence

Iranian hardliners aligned with the far-right have accused President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior diplomats of orchestrating a 'soft coup' while Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is reportedly absent from public view. The accusations surfaced on state-aligned social media channels and conservative news outlets, alleging that the new administration is attempting to consolidate power and shift policy without the Supreme Leader's oversight. Pezeshkian, a relative moderate who took office in 2024, has faced resistance from hardliners since his election. The absence of Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly for several weeks, has fueled speculation about his health and the stability of the regime. No official statement has been issued by the Supreme Leader's office or the government. The incident underscores deepening factional rifts within Iran's political establishment.

Global Impact

Politically, the accusations threaten to destabilize Iran's already fragile governance structure, potentially leading to policy paralysis or a crackdown that could spark domestic unrest. Geopolitically, a distracted or divided Iran may reduce its capacity to project power through proxies in the Middle East, altering the balance of power in conflicts in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq.