Irans Hardliners and Moderates Weigh Deal with the United States

Tehran, Iran - A Memorandum of Understanding Between the US and Iran Has Been Reached, But Implementation Remains Uncertain.

A memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran has been announced, but the road ahead is expected to be challenging. The planned signing of the agreement on Friday in Switzerland marks a significant development, but factional divisions within Iran’s leadership are likely to emerge during the implementation phase.

The new supreme leader, who replaced Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following his death, has not publicly commented on the deal. However, written statements attributed to him have emphasized the importance of maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz and guarding Iran’s nuclear and missile programs as “national assets.”

Some stakeholders have interpreted these statements as suggesting that Iran believes the nuclear file has been concluded, with no need for further efforts to reopen it. The ultraconservative Keyhan newspaper has speculated that this stance may signal a lack of urgency in addressing the nuclear issue.

Senior officials within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and security apparatus have repeatedly stated their readiness to resume military operations if necessary. However, they have refrained from commenting on the provisions of the deal. The IRGC chief, Ahmad Vahidi, has emphasized that Tehran will not abandon its allies, particularly Hezbollah in Lebanon, and that these groups must be included in any deal.

Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force, made a public appearance to discuss the deal, stating that key waterways, including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, are under the control of Iran’s allies. He also expressed support for the negotiating team with the US, which has faced criticism from hardliners.

The implementation of the agreement will depend on how factional divisions within Iran’s leadership are addressed. The planned signing of the deal marks a significant step forward, but the road ahead is expected to be uncertain.

Source: Al Jazeera