Iran’s Guards seize wartime power, blunting Supreme Leader's role
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- IRGC now dominates military strategy and key political decisions, with commander Ahmad Vahidi acting as the central interlocutor in U.S. peace talks.
- Mojtaba Khamenei remains the symbolic head but communicates only via IRGC aides after being severely wounded in the opening strike.
- Abbas Araqchi leads Iran’s diplomatic outreach, while former Guards commander‑turned‑parliament speaker Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf bridges security and political elites.
- Pakistani officials report Iran takes 2‑3 days to respond to proposals, indicating a fragmented decision‑making process despite the IRGC’s tightened control.
Why it matters: US negotiators lose leverage as IRGC hardliners demand more concessions, delaying a potential ceasefire and risking further regional instability, while Iran's internal power shift undermines any moderate diplomatic overtures.
