Internal Rift in Tehran: 60 Assembly of Experts Members Oppose US-Iran MOU

The publication of this statement marks a significant fracture within the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible for appointing and overseeing the Supreme Leader. According to reports from Iran International and material reviewed by The Zioneer Intelligence Desk, the dissenting members also called for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint that has seen heightened kinetic activity in recent days.

Official Reprimand

In a swift response to the dissent, the leadership of the Assembly issued an official clarification criticizing the publication of the statement outside of formal channels. The leadership emphasized that official positions of the Council may only be released through the Chairman, the Presidency, or the Secretariat. They further noted that the initiators of the statement had been asked to refrain from publishing it to avoid "public ambiguity" but chose to proceed regardless.

Strategic Context

This public confrontation follows the formal electronic signing of the 'Islamabad Agreement' earlier this month, a memorandum of understanding between the Trump administration and Tehran. While acting Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has previously signaled approval of the deal to protect the 'Resistance Front,' this latest move by over 60 members suggests deep-seated opposition within the ultra-conservative camp. The demand for 'punishment' against American and Israeli leadership underscores the volatile nature of the current diplomatic framework, which remains a point of intense friction between Jerusalem and Washington.