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Iran’s Revolutionary Guard sidelines president as military grip expands
IRGC leader takes control of Iran’s military as US tensions rise
A US Navy destroyer intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, firing into its engine room after repeated warnings. Following a six-hour standoff, US Marines took custody of the vessel. President Donald Trump issued stern warnings, threatening to ‘take out their bridges and power plants’ if ongoing peace talks fail, as Iran’s hardline IRGC leader consolidates military control.
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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the elite branch of the Iranian Armed Forces, has blocked President Masoud Pezeshkian’s presidential appointments and erected what sources described as a security cordon around Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, a report published Tuesday by Iran International said.
The IRGC effectively has assumed control over key state functions, the report claimed.
«It was always a matter of when, not if, the IRGC was going to step forward even more than it has in the last three decades,» Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital.
Pezeshkian has reached a «complete political deadlock» as tensions between his administration and the military leadership deepen, according to the report.
IRAN’S CEASEFIRE PUSH MAY BE A ‘CYCLE OF DECEPTION,’ ANALYSTS WARN AS SHADOWY FIGURE GAINS POWER
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the elite branch of the Iranian Armed Forces, has blocked President Masoud Pezeshkian’s presidential appointments, a new report says. (John Lamparski/Getty Images)
The reported shift could have major consequences far beyond Iran.
Analysts say a more powerful IRGC likely would mean a more confrontational Iran, less willing to compromise in talks with Washington and more inclined to continue military escalation across the region. With U.S.-Iran negotiations already faltering and uncertainty growing over whether Tehran will even send negotiators to the next round of talks, the rise of the Revolutionary Guard raises fresh doubts about who actually is making decisions in Iran and whether any civilian official can still speak for the regime.
«But it’s a mistake to assume this is some sort of coup,» Ben Taleblu said. «This has been the process in Iran for years now, as the regime has chosen conflict over cooperation and emboldened its security forces at every juncture.»
Pezeshkian’s recent effort to appoint a new intelligence minister collapsed after direct pressure from IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi, sources told Iran International, arguing that all proposed candidates, including former Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan, were rejected.
FILE- Members of the Iranian revolutionary guard march during a parade. The IRGC is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the State Department. A large part of its work is to covertly operate outside of Iran. (Reuters)
Vahidi reportedly insisted that under wartime conditions, all critical and sensitive positions must be chosen and managed directly by the Revolutionary Guard until further notice.
«By any standard, Vahidi is considered a radical even within the regime’s hardline elite, and his rise is a warning that Tehran’s war machine now calls the shots,» Lisa Daftari, foreign policy analyst and journalist, told Fox News Digital.
Under Iran’s system, the president traditionally nominates an intelligence minister only after securing approval from the supreme leader. But with the condition and whereabouts of Mojtaba Khamenei unclear in recent weeks, the IRGC appears to be increasingly acting without civilian oversight.
IRAN’S NEW SUPREME LEADER IS ‘HIS FATHER ON STEROIDS,’ EXPERTS WARN OF HARDLINE RULE
RGC commander Ahmad Vahidi reportedly insisted that under wartime conditions, all critical and sensitive positions must be chosen and managed directly by the Revolutionary Guard until further notice. (Morteza Nikoubazl/Nur Photo via Getty Images)
The report claims Pezeshkian repeatedly has sought an urgent meeting with Mojtaba Khamenei but has been unable to establish contact.
Instead, according to Iran International, a «military council» made up of senior IRGC officers now controls access to the center of power, preventing government reports from reaching Mojtaba and effectively isolating him from the elected government.
Still, analysts say the reported power struggle reflects a longer trend in Iran, where the Revolutionary Guard has steadily expanded its influence over politics, the economy, and national security.
Ben Taleblu argued that Pezeshkian’s apparent sidelining should not be viewed as a dramatic break from the past because the president never exercised significant independent authority.
«Those who worry about Pezeshkian’s potential sidelining need to consider what he realistically was or wasn’t able to do mere months ago when the regime slaughtered 40,000 Iranians in the streets,» he said.
Pezeshkian, elected in 2025 on promises of moderation and reform, has repeatedly found himself constrained by the security establishment and the clerical leadership.
The latest report suggests that dynamic has intensified dramatically as Iran faces growing external pressure and internal uncertainty.
One of the most striking claims involves Ali Asghar Hejazi, a powerful security official inside the office of the supreme leader.
LETHAL ELITE ‘BLACK-CLAD’ KILL SQUAD GUARDS IRAN’S NEW SUPREME LEADER MOJTABA KHAMENEI
A banner featuring Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is displayed in Tehran, Iran, March 14, 2026. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Some of Mojtaba Khamenei’s associates are now trying to push Hejazi out because he opposed Mojtaba succeeding his father, according to Iran International.
The report said Hejazi warned members of the Assembly of Experts that Mojtaba lacked the qualifications to become supreme leader and that hereditary succession would violate the principles laid out by Ali Khamenei.
Hejazi reportedly also warned that putting Mojtaba in power would effectively hand the country to the Revolutionary Guard and permanently sideline civilian institutions.
That warning increasingly appears to reflect what is already happening.
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Analysts say the latest developments suggest the IRGC is no longer operating behind the scenes, but is openly emerging as the dominant force in Tehran. (AFP/Via Getty Images)
The Revolutionary Guard, created after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to defend the regime, has long evolved far beyond a military force. It now controls major sections of Iran’s economy, oversees the country’s missile and nuclear programs, and exerts influence across nearly every branch of government.
Analysts say the latest developments suggest the IRGC is no longer operating behind the scenes, but is openly emerging as the dominant force in Tehran.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations declined to comment.
war with iran, mojtaba khamenei, presidential, national security, appointments, iran
INTERNACIONAL
Trump warns ‘downtrodden’ blue states after socialist candidates sweep NYC congressional primaries
Socialist candidates score victories in New York Democratic primary races
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani celebrates a ‘new chapter’ for Democrats after socialist candidates secured significant victories in three New York primary races, boosting the progressive wing. Rachel Bovard warns that this ‘growing movement,’ with members advocating extreme views such as abolishing the Senate and Supreme Court, is moving from the fringe to become the Democratic Party’s establishment.
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President Donald Trump blasted the far-left socialist sweep of multiple New York City congressional districts and offer a stark warning to «downtrodden» blue states.
«Many Communists running in badly failing Blue States. The votes seem to have them doing quite well against each other. The bad news is that history has conclusively shown that the downtrodden States that they will soon be running will ONLY GET WORSE. MAGA!» he wrote on Truth Social.
The three candidates, all endorsed by radical Mayor Zohran Mamdani, won their primary elections and have virtually unimpeded paths to Congress in their deep blue districts. They are Darializa Avila Chevalier in New York’s 13th Congressional District, State Rep. Claire Valdez in New York’s 7th Congressional District and Brad Lander in New York’s 10th Congressional District.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump watches the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Avila Chevalier and Valdez are members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which not too long ago was dismissed as a fringe element of the left, but is now insurgent in the Democrat Party.
FAR-LEFT SURGE: MAMDANI-BACKED CANDIDATES OUST DEM ESTABLISHMENT INCUMBENTS
Lander is a progressive Democrat and a former DSA member. He left the party in 2023 after its response to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israeli concertgoers that killed 1,200 people. DSA insists that Israel’s response to that attack constitutes a «genocide,» and has made support for Gaza against Israel a central tenet of its platform.
Avila Chevalier ousted fellow progressive and five-term incumbent 71-year-old Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., — the first-ever former illegal alien ever to serve in Congress. She ran an even further left campaign than her rival on a platform that includes abolishing ICE, eliminating all deportations and socialized healthcare.
Congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier speaks during a Get Out the Vote rally at King’s Theater in New York City on June 18, 2026. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Mayor Zohran Mamdani campaigned alongside her and other candidates ahead of the Democratic primary and early voting. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Avila Chevalier was dogged on the campaign trail by past social media posts where she advocated for seizure of private property by the government, called former President Joe Biden a «rapist,» cursed former Vice President Kamala Harris and demanded the abolishment of police.
MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALIST CANDIDATE STORMS OUT OF LIVE INTERVIEW WHEN CONFRONTED WITH OLD SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
She also called America a «f—–g disgrace,» and bragged about using the American flag as a napkin to wipe her hands.
Still, she beat Espaillat by three and a half points.
Valdez, a similarly positioned candidate who currently serves in the New York State Assembly representing the 37th District, won her primary by a landslide, and will likely fill the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez, D-N.Y., come January.
New York Assemblymember Claire Valdez and members of the Stop The Williams Pipeline Coalition delivered over 11,000 public comments to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Manhattan office, urging rejection of the Williams NESE pipeline. (Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images))
HASAN PIKER CELEBRATES AMERICA BEING ‘CLOSER THAN EVER’ TO SOCIALISM AS HE BACKS NYC CANDIDATES
Trump hammered home an earlier post with a second in the early morning hours Wednesday.
«America the Beautiful will NEVER be a Communist Country!!!» he said at 2:38 a.m. on his own social media platform.
When Lander handily defeated incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., Trump let loose on the congressman, a longtime foe who served as lead counsel in a 2019 impeachment attempt against him.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks in support of Brad Lander, Democratic candidate for Congress in New York’s 10th Congressional District, in Carroll Park in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn on June 14, 2026. (Shuran Huang/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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«Weak and pathetic Congressman Dan Goldman just lost, BIG! I guess people didn’t like him illegally targeting President TRUMP. In any event, this jerk is finally GONE! President DJT» he said.
Wednesday morning, Trump sarcastically congratulated Mamdani’s wins and touted his own primary victories in another post on Truth.
«Mayor Mamdani pulled through 3 solid Communists, and has received loud and universal applause from the Fake News Media. Congratulations Mr. Mayor!» he wrote. «I went 16-0 last night, helping to elect wonderful American Patriots, and the Media doesn’t say a word.»
«Over the last two years, my endorsement has netted 259 Primary WINS, and almost no losses, with Zero media attention!!! FAKE NEWS.»
The White House declined to comment further.
democrats elections, congress, donald trump, zohran mamdani, socialism
INTERNACIONAL
Migrantes retornados a El Salvador recibieron formación con un enfoque que va más allá del empleo
El Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de El Salvador informó que concluyó un curso virtual de atención psicosocial para personas migrantes retornadas, dirigido a 49 beneficiarios de Santa Ana, San Miguel y San Salvador.
La iniciativa fue desarrollada por la Cancillería junto con la Organización Internacional para las Migraciones (OIM) y el Instituto Diplomático Doctor José Gustavo Guerrero.
De acuerdo con la Cancillería, la formación estuvo orientada a desarrollar capacidades para afrontar los desafíos asociados al retorno, con énfasis en resiliencia, autocuidado y adaptación a una nueva etapa de vida.
La actividad se realizó a través del Viceministerio de Diáspora y Movilidad Humana, en coordinación con la Organización Internacional para las Migraciones y el Instituto Diplomático Doctor José Gustavo Guerrero.
La rectora del Instituto Diplomático Doctor José Gustavo Guerrero, Luz Elena Núñez, explicó que el curso abordó temas como migración, experiencia migratoria, empoderamiento, capacidad de agencia, redes de apoyo y salud mental.
Según planteó, fortalecer competencias psicosociales resulta clave porque el acceso a redes de apoyo y a herramientas de cuidado de la salud mental incide en la manera en que las personas enfrentan los procesos de reintegración y otros desafíos de la vida.
La representante de la Organización Internacional para las Migraciones, Victoria Sundukova, señaló que este tipo de iniciativas reconocen la experiencia y los desafíos de las personas migrantes retornadas y les ofrecen herramientas para avanzar en su reintegración con mayor bienestar, confianza y dignidad.
Sundukova remarcó que la reintegración no se limita al empleo, el emprendimiento o el acceso a servicios. También, dijo, exige atender las dimensiones emocional, familiar y comunitaria por su efecto directo en el desarrollo integral de las personas.
En ese sentido, citó “la necesidad de redefinir metas, recuperar redes de apoyo o reconstruir la confianza en sí mismo y en el futuro”.
La participante Carla María Ramírez de Hernández describió el retorno como una experiencia que va más allá de volver al país de origen. Afirmó que implica reconstruir proyectos de vida y asumir nuevos desafíos.
“El retorno no es simplemente volver al país; es volver a empezar, y comenzar de nuevo requiere valentía. Este respaldo ha sido clave para mi proceso de reintegración, porque cuando se fortalecen la mente y el corazón, y al mismo tiempo se generan oportunidades concretas para emprender y producir, la reintegración se convierte en un proceso verdaderamente integral”, manifestó.
La viceministra de Diáspora y Movilidad Humana, Patricia Nathaly Godínez, afirmó que la iniciativa forma parte de la aplicación de la Ley Especial de Beneficios y Protección para la Diáspora y Personas en Movilidad Humana. Según explicó, esa norma reconoce a las personas migrantes retornadas como sujetas de derechos y fija la responsabilidad del Estado de promover acciones para garantizar su protección, atención y reintegración integral.
La funcionaria sostuvo que los procesos migratorios suelen estar atravesados por experiencias complejas con efectos emocionales. En ese marco, señaló: “Los procesos migratorios suelen estar marcados por experiencias complejas que pueden generar impactos emocionales significativos. Por ello, es indispensable promover espacios que permitan fortalecer la resiliencia, el autoconocimiento, la gestión emocional y la confianza en las propias capacidades”.
La viceministra atribuyó ese resultado al trabajo conjunto entre el Viceministerio de Diáspora y Movilidad Humana, la OIM y el Instituto Diplomático Doctor José Gustavo Guerrero. Afirmó que esa articulación expresa un compromiso compartido para fortalecer capacidades en esta población.
corresponsal:Desde San Salvador, El Salvador
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