Deepening divisions within Iran’s leadership have reportedly spilled into public violence, with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi allegedly coming under physical attack from hardline opponents of negotiations with the United States during funeral events for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

According to reports, the incidents occurred before the latest round of U.S. strikes on Iran and President Trump’s public comments casting doubt on the ceasefire. The attacks underscore growing tensions between Iranian officials who favor diplomacy with Washington and hardliners fiercely opposed to any agreement with the United States.

The New York Times reported that on Monday, Pezeshkian was confronted by a crowd of hardline supporters who attempted to ram into him while shouting, “Death to the compromiser.” The president appeared shaken as security personnel rushed him away and pushed back the crowd.

The newspaper also reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was chased through an alley during the funeral procession and struck by a stone. Witnesses said his attackers waved flags, shouted insults, and called for his death.

The reported assaults took place during the weeklong funeral ceremonies for Khamenei, which were held across several cities in Iran and Iraq. The events have become a flashpoint for the country’s internal political struggle, with hardliners directing increasing anger toward officials seen as favoring renewed engagement with the United States.

Senior Iranian officials and government supporters have since called for the attackers to be arrested and prosecuted. The president’s son and adviser, Yousef Pezeshkian, condemned the attacks in a lengthy social media post, warning that turning public anger against Iranian officials only serves the country’s enemies and undermines national unity.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)