Iran's Expert Council Splits Over US Deal Amid Protests and Cyber Attacks

A rare and intense public dispute has erupted within Iran's Assembly of Experts, the religious body responsible for appointing the Supreme Leader, following a new memorandum of understanding signed with the United States. Over sixty members of the assembly sharply criticized the negotiations and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a "strategic mistake." They demanded punishment for those responsible for the killing of Ali Khamenei and declared a religious duty to kill anyone with access to them.

The assembly's presidency and secretariat swiftly issued an unprecedented public rebuke against the signatories, condemning the breach of protocol and warning that airing political views publicly harms the body's unity. This official response drew harsh criticism from Raja News, a media outlet linked to hardline factions opposed to talks with Washington, accusing the secretariat of undermining establishment unity.

The political turmoil spilled into the streets of Tehran, leading to the closure of a national mourning site near where Ali Khamenei was killed. Islamist activists from Mashhad, wearing white burial shrouds, occupied the site in protest against the deal, accusing negotiators of crossing the late leader's red lines and calling for their execution.

The US-Iran memorandum marks a significant shift in Washington's policy, replacing maximum pressure with broad economic incentives in exchange for nuclear concessions. The agreement is expected to grant Tehran access to tens of billions of dollars in oil revenues and frozen assets, alongside a proposed $300 billion regional development plan benefiting Gulf states, China, and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the return of Iranian-American academic Houshang Amirahmadi to Iran has sparked fierce media debate. Conservative outlets view his return as recognition of political realities, while hardline newspapers like Kayhan condemned the authorities for allowing a spy to operate in the country.

Amid these political upheavals, Iran's banking system continues to suffer severe disruptions from repeated cyberattacks targeting outdated infrastructure nearly 30 years old. The Iranian newspaper Shargh criticized the lack of transparency from authorities and highlighted how sanctions and internet restrictions hamper efforts to protect financial networks, severely impacting daily life for citizens.