Reports indicate military influence expanding over government functions while tensions escalate with the United States and uncertainty clouds negotiations.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is increasingly asserting control over key state functions, according to multiple reports and analyst assessments, raising new questions about the role of civilian leadership as geopolitical tensions intensify.
Sources cited in recent reporting indicate that President Masoud Pezeshkian has faced growing restrictions from the country’s powerful military establishment, including interference in senior government appointments and limited access to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The situation has been described as a political deadlock, with authority shifting further toward security institutions.
Analysts say the development reflects a long-standing trend rather than a sudden change. Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior researcher focused on Iran policy, said the expansion of the Revolutionary Guard’s influence has been building for decades. “It was always a matter of when, not if, the IRGC was going to step forward even more than it has in the last three decades,” he said.
According to accounts from sources familiar with internal dynamics, a proposed appointment for intelligence minister stalled after objections from IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi, who reportedly insisted that sensitive positions should remain under military oversight during what he characterized as wartime conditions.
Lisa Daftari, a foreign policy analyst, described Vahidi’s role as indicative of broader shifts within Iran’s leadership structure. “By any standard, Vahidi is considered a radical even within the regime’s hardline elite, and his rise is a warning that Tehran’s war machine now calls the shots,” she said.
Iran’s political system traditionally requires presidential nominees for key posts to receive approval from the supreme leader. However, uncertainty surrounding Mojtaba Khamenei’s accessibility has complicated that process. Reports suggest that a group of senior Revolutionary Guard officials may now be controlling access to him, limiting communication between the elected government and the country’s highest authority.
Despite the apparent power struggle, some analysts caution against framing the situation as a formal takeover. Taleblu said the president has historically exercised limited independent authority within Iran’s political structure. “It’s a mistake to assume this is some sort of coup,” he said, adding that the security apparatus has consistently expanded its role as the government has prioritized confrontation over cooperation.
The internal developments come as Iran faces heightened external pressure. Relations with the United States remain strained, with both sides issuing warnings as a fragile ceasefire approaches expiration. President Donald Trump has signaled that military action could resume if negotiations fail, while Iranian officials have accused Washington of violating the truce through a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the country would not engage in negotiations under pressure and warned of potential escalation. Iranian forces have also threatened to target vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without authorization, a critical global shipping route.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials have taken enforcement actions in the region, including turning back multiple ships and seizing at least one vessel accused of attempting to bypass the blockade. Military officials said such operations are intended to maintain control over maritime traffic as tensions persist.
Oil markets have reacted to the uncertainty, with prices rising amid concerns that renewed conflict could disrupt supplies. The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point, as it serves as a major transit route for global energy shipments.
Inside Iran, daily life has shown signs of partial normalization following recent disruptions, though residents continue to express concern about economic conditions and political uncertainty. Some citizens have pointed to the impact of prolonged tensions and government policies on living standards.
At the same time, diplomatic efforts remain uncertain. U.S. Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials are expected to participate in potential talks aimed at resolving the conflict, though Iran has not confirmed its involvement. Previous negotiations ended without agreement, and both sides have continued to exchange accusations over compliance with ceasefire terms.
Analysts say the growing influence of the Revolutionary Guard could complicate any future diplomatic engagement, as it raises doubts about who ultimately holds decision-making authority within Iran’s leadership structure.
The Revolutionary Guard, originally established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has evolved into a dominant force across military, economic and political spheres. Its expanding role now appears increasingly visible, as the balance between civilian governance and military authority continues to shift.
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