Iran's Revolutionary Guards Criticize Leadership Over US Talks Amid Hormuz Tensions

In recent days, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have engaged in negotiations with the United States, apologizing for the shooting incident in the Strait of Hormuz and describing it as a misunderstanding. However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has sharply criticized these talks, maintaining a hardline stance and warning against trusting the US. The IRGC accuses Washington of exploiting the negotiations to mislead Iran, citing recent American attacks on Iranian targets as proof of bad faith.

The IRGC claims the US has undermined Iran on multiple fronts, including through the Lebanon-Israel agreement, actions in the Strait of Hormuz via the Omani route, and oil sanctions that effectively prevent Iran from selling its oil despite nominal sanction relief. They also allege that Iran has yet to receive any funds promised by the US, even for humanitarian purchases. The IRGC views the current period as a critical opportunity to pressure the US before November, with backing from Mojtaba Khamenei, aiming to create unrest without triggering a full confrontation.

Their strategy involves leveraging US interests in low oil prices and free navigation through Hormuz to extract concessions. This internal split highlights a growing rift within Iran's leadership between pragmatic engagement and hardline resistance toward the US amid escalating regional tensions.