Iranian Sources: Accelerating the Appointment of a New Leader and Disputes Within the Revolutionary Guard

Reuters reported, citing sources close to the Iranian leadership, that religious leaders are accelerating the process of appointing a new leader, with a decision likely to be announced on Sunday.

The sources indicated that President Masoud Bezhakian's apology to the Gulf states provoked objections from hardliners within the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, revealing real divisions within the military and religious institution.

A source close to Ali Khamenei's office noted that Bezhakian's statement angered many senior leaders of the Revolutionary Guard, reflecting the depth of internal disagreements in Iran amid a power transition.