Soft Coup Or Power Play? Why Iran's Ghalibaf Is Facing Pushback From IRGC | Exclusive

Last Updated:April 25, 2026, 14:34 IST

Current assessments suggest that the counter-move has succeeded, with power tilting back toward the more hardline sections of the IRGC

A behind-the-scenes power struggle appears to have unfolded in Iran’s top leadership, with intelligence-linked sources indicating that a counter-move led by IRGC chief Ahmad Vahidi has undercut what was seen as an emerging internal challenge from Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Sources told CNN-News18 that sections within Iran’s establishment, including political and economic actors, had been coalescing around Ghalibaf in what was described as a potential “soft transition" rather than an outright regime collapse.

Ghalibaf, a former IRGC commander with deep political and economic networks, was reportedly seen by some external stakeholders, including Pakistan, as a figure capable of restructuring Iran’s system from within.

Sources claim he had begun assembling a broad coalition that included President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, influential bazaar-linked business groups, and a smaller but economically powerful segment of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

This faction, sources allege, is tied to parts of the IRGC’s vast commercial network, which is estimated to control a significant share of Iran’s economy—in some accounts, up to 45 per cent.

The idea, according to the sources, was to consolidate power internally while maintaining institutional continuity—a model that some external players, including Pakistan, are said to have quietly pitched to US President Donald Trump as a preferable alternative to destabilising regime collapse.

Sources further suggest that this “internal transition" framework was seen as potentially acceptable to a range of international actors, including China, Russia, and several Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, as well as Turkey and Pakistan.

The pitch, as described by those familiar with the discussions, was that gradual internal restructuring would preserve stability while allowing for shifts in Iran’s policy direction.

However, the situation appears to have shifted dramatically in recent days.

Intelligence-linked assessments indicate that Vahidi has led a swift counteraction against Ghalibaf’s camp. Over the past three days, Vahidi is said to have moved decisively to reassert control, including through public messaging on state media that reportedly criticised and demanded explanations from both Ghalibaf and Araghchi.

This public pushback is being interpreted by observers as a signal of resistance from hardline elements within the IRGC against any perceived internal power shift.

Current assessments suggest that the counter-move has succeeded, with power tilting back toward the more hardline sections of the IRGC.

If this trajectory holds, Ghalibaf’s position could become increasingly precarious. Sources indicate he may face removal as Speaker of Parliament in the near future, depending on how the internal balance of power evolves.

While these developments remain fluid and have not been officially confirmed by Iranian authorities, they point to deepening fissures within Iran’s political and security establishment at a time of heightened external pressure and regional tension.

The episode also underscores a broader contest within Iran’s system between those favouring calibrated internal adjustment and those determined to maintain tight control through the IRGC’s traditional power structures.

How this internal struggle unfolds could have significant implications not only for Iran’s domestic politics but also for its posture in ongoing regional and international negotiations.

News world Soft Coup Or Power Play? Why Iran's Ghalibaf Is Facing Pushback From IRGC | Exclusive

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