Neither Pezeshkian nor Aragchi: The Man Pulling the Strings in Iran

Aragchi made the remarks on Friday, June 12, during a televised interview with Iranian state television, where he discussed the draft of the so-called Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the United States. According to Qatar-based Al Jazeera, he emphasized that the document remains under review and could still be amended.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports that Ahmad Vahidi, the newly appointed commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has emerged as a key power broker within the Iranian leadership. As head of the influential military organization, Vahidi is reportedly playing a central role in shaping Iran's policy toward the ongoing conflict with the United States.

According to the Journal, Vahidi supported recent missile strikes against Israel despite opposition from more moderate figures within Iran's political establishment.

Vahidi Opposed a Rapid Agreement

The most recent Iranian missile attacks on Israel followed Israeli operations in Beirut and escalating clashes with Hezbollah on June 7. The strikes marked Iran's first ballistic missile attack since April and came after Tehran threatened retaliation over developments in Lebanon despite an earlier ceasefire agreement.

According to The Wall Street Journal, opponents of the strikes feared they would derail negotiations with Washington that could help revive Iran's struggling economy. Ultimately, Vahidi's position prevailed.

Final negotiations are reportedly underway regarding the agreement being discussed between Iran and the United States. The Journal states that Vahidi and the Revolutionary Guard have been among the strongest opponents of a rapid resolution, insisting that Washington first accept Iran's key demands.

Vahidi, 67, succeeded a predecessor who was reportedly killed during the first day of the conflict. He is under U.S. sanctions for his alleged role in suppressing the 2022 women's rights protests in Iran. He is also the subject of an Interpol notice related to the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Argentina that killed 85 people. Iranian authorities deny any involvement by Vahidi in the attack.

Military Strength as a Negotiating Tool

Vahidi maintains that Iran must preserve a credible military deterrent if it is to negotiate effectively with its adversaries. He is also known as a strong supporter of Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant and political movement backed by Iran, which has been involved in hostilities with Israel since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict.

According to American and Israeli sources cited in the report, more moderate figures in Tehran, including President Massoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi, have favored reaching an agreement with the United States to ease economic pressure on Iran. However, Vahidi is said to have repeatedly blocked or delayed efforts to secure a quick deal.

Protecting Hezbollah's Position

Arab mediators reportedly claim that Vahidi was responsible for linking any end to hostilities between Iran and the United States to a halt in Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

According to Israeli media reports, preserving Hezbollah's strategic position has been one of Vahidi's primary objectives.

He has also reportedly urged negotiators to safeguard Iran's missile capabilities and seek the release of frozen Iranian assets abroad. Vahidi has opposed restrictions that would prevent such funds from being used for military purposes.

Critics, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, argue that the deaths of several senior Iranian officials during the early stages of the conflict strengthened more hardline factions within Iran's leadership.

A Long Career in Iran's Security Establishment

Vahidi is one of the founding members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. At the age of 23, he took charge of its intelligence division and later helped establish the Quds Force, the IRGC's elite external operations unit.

Throughout his career, he has held several senior positions within Iran's military and security apparatus, including Minister of Defense, Minister of Interior, Deputy Commander of the Revolutionary Guard, and other strategic posts.

According to the U.S. Treasury Department, Vahidi was involved in missile development, drone programs, and Iran's nuclear activities while serving as defense minister. The United States imposed sanctions on him during the Obama administration.

As interior minister, he oversaw a period marked by nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody after being detained for allegedly violating Iran's hijab regulations.

While several of his predecessors became targets of assassination attempts, Vahidi now finds himself at the center of Iran's most consequential negotiations and security decisions.