President Masoud Pezeshkian and Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are reportedly seeking to remove Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi from his post [1].
The move signals a deepening power struggle between Iran's civilian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). If successful, the dismissal would reflect a shift in how Tehran manages its diplomatic relations and internal security apparatus.
Reports indicate that Araghchi is perceived as acting under the direction of IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi [2]. This perceived subservience to the Guards is said to have led Araghchi to bypass other high-ranking officials in the government [2].
The friction comes as the administration navigates complex international dynamics. Araghchi has been involved in high-stakes diplomacy, including a Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire intended to suspend a six-week-old war [3].
Despite these diplomatic efforts, the perceived lack of independence from the IRGC has created a rift between the Foreign Minister and the leadership of the presidency and parliament [1]. The push for his ouster highlights the tension between those seeking a more autonomous diplomatic track and those aligned with the military's strategic interests [2].
Neither the office of the president nor the speaker's office has issued a formal statement confirming the dismissal process. However, the coordinated effort by Pezeshkian and Ghalibaf suggests a unified front against the influence of the IRGC within the foreign ministry [1].
“Pezeshkian and Ghalibaf are reportedly seeking to remove Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi”
This development underscores the persistent tension in Iran between the formal state bureaucracy and the IRGC. By attempting to remove a minister seen as a proxy for a military commander, the civilian leadership is attempting to reassert control over foreign policy and reduce the military's direct interference in diplomatic negotiations.
