Iran War — 2026-04-01

Iran Power Struggle Deepens as IRGC Consolidates Control, Pezeshkian Sidelined

Iran's civilian government is increasingly marginalized as the IRGC consolidates wartime authority under Ahmad Vahidi. President Pezeshkian has reportedly warned that the economy could collapse within weeks if hostilities continue but has been sidelined from key decisions. Mojtaba Khamenei remains unreachable. The power dynamic raises the question of who can authorize a ceasefire or negotiate terms.

Analysis
The IRGC's consolidation under Vahidi raises a fundamental question: who has authority to negotiate a ceasefire? If Pezeshkian is sidelined and Mojtaba Khamenei is unreachable, the IRGC, which has no institutional incentive to de-escalate, becomes the de facto decision-maker. This structural problem may be invisible to US diplomats looking for a negotiating partner.

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Who Is Running Iran? Power Struggle Deepens, IRGC Takes Control, Pezeshkian Sidelined As Mojtaba Khamenei Remains Out Of Reach - NewsX