Iran hardliners push NPT exit and target Pezeshkian talks

The Paydari Front’s call to leave the NPT, reported by Al Jazeera English, came as the faction presses for a harder line in the war with the United States and opposes Pezeshkian’s efforts to end the conflict through talks. The report said hardline supporters have held nightly rallies in major Iranian cities for 200 days, with slogans including “No compromise, no surrender – the fight against America” and “Negotiating with the enemy is a betrayal of the homeland.” The faction also has a strong presence in Tehran’s municipal government, parliament, religious institutions, academia and media, according to the report. Parliament is considering a motion to impeach Araghchi and a law that would criminalise interviews with foreign media, the report said. Davood Heshmati, a journalist close to Pezeshkian, argued that all alternatives to military action, including negotiations, should be tested first; he said those opposing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz believe the war must not end. Negar Mortazavi told Al Jazeera English that Iran’s hardliners are not a marginal political force and are well-organised and deeply entrenched, but that decisions on war, peace and negotiations are made at the highest levels of Iran’s leadership and national security establishment. She said they are powerful enough to complicate diplomacy but not necessarily powerful enough to stop it, especially if an agreement is backed by main powerholders including Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khamenei and the Supreme National Security Council.