Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 09/2010

Internal Divisions among Iranian Hardliners Come to the Fore

Mehdi Khalaji

August 2010

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Abstract

During an August 9 visit to Syria, Ali Akbar Velayati, influential advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, stated that Iran is ready to negotiate with the United States regarding its nuclear program. Yesterday, however, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast announced that Iran has no plans for bilateral negotiation with Washington. These and other conflicting signals point to deep internal divisions among former allies in Iran's hardline camp. Such divisions are part of a longstanding pattern in the Islamic Republic: as soon as one faction seizes power by cutting out its opponents, it splits into warring parties.