Khamenei Ultimatum to Pezeshkian Backs IRGC Commander

Khamenei's backing of the IRGC commander strengthens the military wing of the state at a moment when Pezeshkian, a relative moderate, had been trying to navigate the crisis diplomatically. The ultimatum suggests the Supreme Leader is demanding a harder line, potentially limiting the president's room for manoeuvre.

What happens next hinges on Pezeshkian's response. If he complies, the diplomatic track could narrow further, keeping oil and safe-haven assets like gold under bid. If he resists, the internal power struggle may escalate, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile region.

No further details on the ultimatum's content or the timeline were available. The report was attributed to unnamed sources close to the Iranian leadership.