Tensions flare in Tehran as President Pezeshkian clashes with IRGC over war strategy and economic crisis

A deepening power struggle has emerged between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and the country’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as internal disagreements over wartime decision-making collide with a spiraling economic crisis, sources close to the government have revealed.

The rift, centered on Iran’s escalating confrontation with the United States and Israel, has seen Pezeshkian openly criticize the government’s current escalation strategy. The president is reportedly pushing to wrest control over key wartime decisions from the IRGC, arguing that the mounting economic and social toll of the conflict has become unsustainable.

In response, the IRGC leadership has pushed back sharply, blaming Pezeshkian for failing to address deep-seated structural issues within the civilian administration. The exchange marks a rare public display of discord between the presidency and the influential military wing, which has long held significant sway over national security policy.

The political infighting comes as Iran’s economy shows increasing signs of collapse. Soaring food prices, widespread shortages of basic goods, and reports of unpaid salaries have become commonplace across the country. New economic data indicates that more than 40% of Iran’s population is now living below the poverty line, a dramatic rise that has fueled fears of a renewed wave of public unrest.

Analysts warn that the combination of external military pressure and internal governance disputes could prove volatile. With living conditions deteriorating rapidly, pressure is mounting on the government to stabilize both the economy and the political infighting before public anger boils over.