Conflicting stands, corruption rows reveal a regime struggling for cohesion Last updated: April 29, 2026 | 13:35 WHO'S IN CHARGE? Reports emerged of purges, loyalty tests, and rivalries between IRGC branches (Quds Force, Aerospace, Basij, etc.) over resources and blame for setbacks. Combo photo shows (from left) IRGC Commander Major General Ahmad Vahidi, Iran President Mahmoud Pezeshkian, and Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf. File Iran’s ruling system, built over 47 years since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, is showing signs of deepening strain, analysts and a US think-tank reported Wednesday. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), based in Washington DC, stated that economic hardship, internal rivalries, international pressure and public anger feed increasingly open conflict among Iran factions. Signs of fractured leadership come amid reports of purges, loyalty checks, threats of defections and mutual accusations of espionage.…