Iran: Internal Strife and the End of the Mullahs?

An unprecedented audio message from the Revolutionary Guards Navy in the Gulf revealed the tension between hardliners and pragmatists in Iran. The message, responding to ship requests to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, stated that the Strait would only be opened by order of Imam Khamenei, and not by "tweets of some idiot," referring to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The conflict is escalating amid talks with the US on the nuclear program and ballistic missiles. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf reportedly launched an attack against those who oppose a deal with the US, warning of catastrophic consequences. He accused his opponents of exploiting state media to torpedo the negotiations.

Reports of regime disintegration are increasing, with the collapse of the Iranian economy exacerbating the situation. While Donald Trump's time is running out, a real rapprochement with the US could ignite conflict between the two camps in Iran, potentially leading to an even worse regime or, conversely, a unification of the camps under the threat of external intervention.