Inside the growing rift between Iran’s dealmakers and ultraconservatives

Iran's government is fracturing over whether to negotiate with the United States. Per Middle East Eye, reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf are seeking to end six months of hostilities through a deal with Washington, while ultraconservative principlists are determined to block any agreement. Leaked recordings reveal the intensity of the divide: one features a relative of the Supreme Leader claiming the president has repeatedly threatened resignation; another has a conservative official claiming the Supreme Leader actually supports negotiations and is frustrated with hard-line opposition. The principlists fear any deal would marginalize them and empower moderate forces, so they're using grassroots protests to raise the political cost for both negotiators.

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