CNN Analysis: Why Iran's hardliners are warning of a "velvet coup"

2026-07-18 20:16:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

CNN Analysis: Why Iran's hardliners are warning of a "velvet

A fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States is under increasing pressure as the Islamic Republic faces a growing clash between the new political leadership and the regime's most disaffected circles, who are now openly calling it a "coup", an analysis by the prestigious international network CNN highlights.

At the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran last week, Iranian President Masoud Peskov was booed by a group of people who chanted "Death to the submissive."

Elsewhere at the ceremony, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who negotiated the ceasefire deal with the Trump administration and helped secure the partial lifting of sanctions against Tehran, was forced to leave under security guard after being attacked with stones by an angry crowd that called him a "traitor."

Scenarios of the "velvet coup"

The hostility towards senior officials reflects a theory that is gaining ground in the most extreme circles of the Iranian regime.

According to her, the politicians and military figures who negotiated and signed the agreement with Washington are trying to stage a "velvet coup", moving the country away from the revolutionary principles of the Islamic Republic, while the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, remains virtually invisible in public life.

Hardliners argue that, rather than avenge the assassination of Ali Khamenei, government officials have "surrendered" to the United States, signing an agreement that they say violates the orders of his successor.

Mojtaba Khamenei has not publicly addressed the nation nor has he appeared to personally assert his authority, fueling rumors and intensifying internal conflicts.

Tested ceasefire

Despite calls for national unity after the war, Ali Khamenei's funeral was turned into a show of force by the Islamic Republic's most intransigent supporters.

The crowd demanded immediate revenge for the death of the supreme leader and the resumption of hostilities with the United States, rejecting any form of agreement with Washington.

Their desire appears to have been strengthened after the fragile ceasefire collapsed, as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps carried out attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, provoking American retaliation and reviving calls from extremists to abandon the deal altogether.

Even before the new clashes erupted, extremist circles had turned against the negotiators.

During a public ceremony, religious singer Mohammad Ali Bakhshi issued a direct threat to President Pezheskian:

"Mr. President, if the Leader's conditions are not met, then we, your blade, and your neck will be left. We will make you live in hell."

The threat of public assassination sparked a backlash, but Bakhshi does not appear to have faced any legal consequences.

The battle for control of power

The hard-liners are also targeting Mohammad Bayer Ghalibaf, a former Revolutionary Guard commander and head of talks with the United States.

According to his critics, he is trying to strengthen the role of the Supreme National Security Council at the expense of the Supreme Leader and parliament.