Abu Salah of the Arabic Desk argues that the U.S. is negotiating with puppets, while the real power in Iran lies with a secretive IRGC-affiliated force that has controlled the country for decades under Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Abu Salah, an analyst with the Arabic Desk, published a lengthy analysis on Thursday morning arguing that the United States is negotiating with the wrong Iranians. He claims that the real power in Iran is held by a shadowy, classified force within the IRGC that has controlled the country since the Iran-Iraq war, with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei at its head. According to Abu Salah, this force — which he describes as the 'longest and strongest arm' in Iran — was built by extremist officers and now directs all major decisions, including security and foreign policy. He asserts that the Trump administration's contacts are 'puppets on a string' and do not represent the true decision-making body. The analysis echoes earlier reports by The Zioneer on the consolidation of power under Mojtaba Khamenei following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei.
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