Iran's power structure shifts dramatically as hardline IRGC commanders consolidate control over military and diplomatic operations, sidelining moderate officials.

Iran's power structure shifts dramatically as hardline IRGC commanders consolidate control over military and diplomatic operations, sidelining moderate officials. Commander Ahmad Vahidi and his allies have effectively overruled Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's tentative agreements with the Trump administration, reversing course on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Instead, the IRGC is maintaining a strict blockade of the critical chokepoint, leaving hundreds of vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf. This internal power struggle signals a significant escalation in geopolitical tensions, with the IRGC prioritizing confrontation over negotiation. The shift carries substantial implications for global oil markets and regional stability, as hardliners now dictate Iran's military and diplomatic strategy.