Iran’s own hardliners are crying “soft coup” over a US ceasefire deal, exposing a dangerous power struggle inside a regime that still targets America and its allies.
Story Snapshot
- Iran’s ultra-hardliners accuse President Masoud Pezeshkian and Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf of a “soft coup” after a US-Iran memorandum of understanding.
- Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has formally approved the deal, turning the fight into an internal brawl over who really speaks for the regime.
- Funeral crowds hurled rocks and shouted “death to the compromiser” at negotiators, showing how unstable and radical Iran’s street politics remain.
- Hardliners fear losing power and demand more war with the United States, reminding Americans why a strong defense and clear red lines still matter.
Hardliners Turn On Iran’s Leaders Over US Truce
Iran is locked in a fierce internal fight after its leaders signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States to support a fragile ceasefire. Ultra-hardline factions claim President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf forced through the deal as a “soft coup” against the legacy of slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. They say the leadership surrendered instead of avenging Khamenei’s killing and accuse negotiators of selling out Iran’s “revolutionary” cause by talking with President Donald Trump’s administration.
These hardliners are not just criticizing the agreement; they are threatening Iran’s own officials. One hardline lawmaker warned Pezeshkian, “If the leader’s conditions are not fulfilled, then it will be us, the blade and your throat… We will bring hell upon you.” That kind of language shows how raw the power struggle has become. Factions tied to the so-called Endurance Front, which claims millions of votes, now treat diplomacy as treason and openly talk about using violence to stop it.
Street Fury: Funeral Attacks And “Death To The Compromiser” Chants
The bitter divide exploded in public at Ali Khamenei’s funeral in Tehran. As President Pezeshkian walked beside the coffin, sections of the crowd shouted “death to the compromiser” instead of focusing on foreign enemies. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who helped negotiate the ceasefire and limited sanctions relief with Washington, faced even worse treatment. Protesters reportedly threw rocks at him, called him a “traitorous sellout,” and forced him to flee the funeral. These scenes show that Iran’s radical base is willing to attack its own leaders in the street.
Days later, demonstrators in Tehran repeated their anger, demanding the resignation of negotiators and chanting against Pezeshkian, Araghchi, and Ghalibaf. Some protesters reportedly called for violent actions against these officials, behavior that foreign media described as extremist rather than normal political opposition. For Americans, this is a reminder that the same regime talking truce with Washington still hosts crowds who cheer violence and call diplomacy a crime. It underlines why the United States must stay cautious whenever Tehran promises peace.
Khamenei Approves The Deal, But The Power Struggle Deepens
Despite the noise, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has formally approved the memorandum, though he admitted he “had a different view.” In his written message, he said he authorized the deal only after Pezeshkian, as head of the Supreme National Security Council, promised to protect Iran’s rights and the so-called Resistance Front and accepted full responsibility. That statement undercuts the hardliners’ claim that the ceasefire defies the Supreme Leader’s will, even as they keep insisting it breaks his red lines.
The agreement itself is now in force. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed it was finalized with electronic signatures from both presidents and is legally active. Pezeshkian says an “overwhelming majority” of the Supreme National Security Council approved the text, including senior commanders from both the regular army and the Revolutionary Guards. The deal reportedly includes relief such as lifting a naval blockade and allowing some oil sales, giving Iran cash and breathing room. Hardliners still call it “hasty and weak,” but they have not produced proof that it violates any written conditions from Mojtaba Khamenei.
What This Turmoil Means For America And Conservatives
For American conservatives, this crisis inside Iran matters for several reasons. First, it shows the regime remains divided between those who want to cash in on talks and those who openly push for more war against the United States. Hardline scholars and clerics call for more attacks and demand an end to negotiations, even as US strikes and Iranian actions in the Strait of Hormuz raise costs for both sides. That is not the behavior of a normal partner; it is the behavior of a hostile system that still sees America as the enemy.
Iran in Political Turmoil! Hardliners have accused President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of a 'Soft Coup,' escalating the internal power struggle as tensions with the US continue to rise.#Iran #MasoudPezeshkian #AbbasAraghchihttps://t.co/9s3gRHz8gT pic.twitter.com/8pR0AVaxmc
— Theindiamoves राष्ट्र प्रथम . (@Theindiamove) July 19, 2026
Second, the “soft coup” talk is part of a familiar pattern. For years, Iranian factions have cried coup or “velvet revolution” whenever power shifts inside the regime. The labels change, but the reality is the same: different camps fight to control missiles, oil money, and talks with Washington. Today’s battle over the US memorandum is less about peace and more about who gets to claim Khamenei’s legacy and command Iran’s war machine. That should remind US readers that any deal with Tehran rests on shaky ground.
Sources:
feedpress.me, reuters.com, bbc.com, youtube.com, iranintl.com, aljazeera.com, dw.com
