Iran political shakeup limits president's role and threatens foreign minister's tenure

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that direct talks with Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khamenei are "very difficult" but that the leader’s guidance remains a key source of strength for the country. Sources report that Khamenei has curtailed Pezeshkian’s influence on security and foreign‑policy matters and is preparing to limit the role of Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with senior parliamentarians gathering evidence for a possible impeachment.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Ahmad Vahidi is said to be gaining decisive authority over major issues such as the nuclear programme and negotiations with the United States. In parallel, Qatar’s foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed the regional tension with Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, urging diplomatic solutions and offering Qatar, Pakistan and Oman’s assistance in facilitating US‑Iran talks.

These developments follow heightened regional strain after recent US and Israeli actions, raising concerns of a broader political realignment within Iran.