Iran MOU Sparks Open Infighting Within Regime Ranks
As Tehran and Washington move toward a new memorandum of understanding, criticism from regime insiders and supporters is increasingly spilling into public view, exposing growing divisions within the Iranian establishment. The announcement of a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Tehran and Washington has triggered a wave of criticism and public infighting within Iran’s ruling establishment, with regime supporters, hardline media outlets, and senior political factions openly attacking government officials involved in the negotiations. The controversy intensified after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Washington and Tehran had reached an understanding and suggested that negotiations were continuing over issues including Iran’s nuclear activities and regional security arrangements. While Iranian authorities have released few details about the agreement, the lack of transparency has fueled criticism from hardline factions and prompted an increasingly public confrontation between rival camps within the regime. One of the sharpest attacks came from Hossein Shariatmadari, the Supreme Leader’s representative at Kayhan. In a June 15 editorial titled “Memorandum of Understanding or a Gift to Trump?”, Shariatmadari complained that the Supreme National Security Council had provided almost no information about the contents of the agreement. Referring to Trump’s public comments about the negotiations, he wrote: “If Trump is telling the truth, then the memorandum in question should be considered a birthday gift to Trump.” Shariatmadari added that if Trump’s statements were inaccurate, Iranian authorities had a duty to publicly deny them without delay. The criticism reflects a broader debate inside the regime over whether the negotiations amount to a strategic retreat by Tehran. State-affiliated outlet Rouydad24 reported that pressure from the Paydari Front, linked to Saeed Jalili, and its allies has moved beyond media criticism and taken the form of organized gatherings and increasingly direct slogans against senior officials. According to the report: “The provocations of the Paydari Front and its allies have gone beyond media criticism and appeared in the form of organized gatherings and explicit slogans against senior officials.” The growing tensions have also been acknowledged by senior officials within the regime. Speaking on June 15, Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, warned against internal divisions while criticizing the agreement. “We must preserve unity and avoid falling into discord, especially regarding an understanding whose details are still unclear. I myself am among the critics of this understanding.” Rezaei also suggested that concerns over internal unrest are influencing the debate surrounding the negotiations. “The enemy has plans to create division and, in fact, to provoke an internal conflict inside Iran. This is a reality they have invested in. They hope that in the coming months there will once again be unrest and disturbances.” His remarks are notable because they combine criticism of the agreement with an explicit warning about factional divisions and the possibility of renewed domestic unrest. They also reflect growing concern among regime officials that disputes over the negotiations could deepen existing political tensions at a time of economic difficulties and continuing public dissatisfaction. The divisions have also become visible on the streets. In recent days, multiple videos circulating on social media have shown groups of regime supporters openly attacking senior officials associated with the negotiations. One video showed demonstrators chanting: “Ghalibaf, Araghchi, resign now!” The slogan targeted Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, two of the most prominent figures associated with the regime’s diplomatic efforts. Another video, reportedly filmed outside the Foreign Ministry’s representative office in Mashhad, showed demonstrators chanting: “Death to Araghchi, the dishonorable compromiser!” The protesters also directed slogans against Ghalibaf. A separate video circulated on June 13 showed supporters of the regime chanting: “Ghalibaf, Araghchi, what about the blood of our Leader?” The slogan appeared to reference Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and reflected accusations by hardline supporters that officials involved in negotiations are compromising principles associated with the regime’s leadership. The public nature of the criticism is particularly notable because such demonstrations have traditionally been directed at external adversaries or opposition groups rather than senior figures within the ruling establishment itself. The growing infighting comes at a sensitive moment for the regime. Iran continues to face economic difficulties, political unrest, and international pressure, while questions remain about the future direction of its foreign and nuclear policies. As details of the MOU remain unclear, rival factions appear increasingly willing to challenge one another publicly. Whether the agreement ultimately leads to a broader understanding between Tehran and Washington remains uncertain. What is already visible, however, is that the prospect of such an agreement has exposed significant divisions within the regime, with critics and supporters of the negotiations increasingly confronting each other in public.
