Signs of division inside Iran’s ruling structure are raising new concerns that any ceasefire with the United States could be short-lived, as reports indicate hardline factions tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are pushing for a tougher confrontation with President Donald Trump.
Officials connected to IRGC-affiliated media are signaling readiness for a renewed conflict rather than a lasting diplomatic settlement. Reports suggest some Iranian clerical and political figures support negotiations, but that support remains limited and does not yet represent a unified shift within the regime.
That split could prove critical.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps remains one of the most powerful institutions in the country, overseeing elite military forces, missile programs, intelligence operations, and large portions of the economy. While civilian officials may publicly discuss diplomacy, analysts have long argued that the IRGC often favors a more confrontational approach toward Washington.
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg said on Fox News that Iran’s leadership appears badly fractured, with competing power centers pulling in different directions. Kellogg noted that while the IRGC has enormous influence, Iran’s regular army is also a major force and is separate from the Guard Corps.
WATCH:
🚨 WOW! The IRGC reportedly wants WAR with Donald Trump to resume
“Iranian officials and IRGC affiliated media signal readiness for the imminent resumption of war.”
The support for negotiations is not “UNIFIED” within the regime. A MAJOR power struggle is happening.
Sounds… pic.twitter.com/p9ROUv83KG
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 22, 2026
“The IRGC has guns. So does the army, and the army’s separate from the IRGC,” Kellog explained.
Kellog also pointed to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as a figure viewed as more moderate, though he suggested the president has been sidelined by harder-line elements. Instead, attention has turned to Ahmad Vahidi, who has been described in recent coverage as an increasingly important voice in military planning and strategic decisions.
“Deep historical mistrust in Iran toward U.S. gov conduct remains, while unconstructive & contradictory signals from American officials carry a bitter message; they seek Iran’s surrender. Iranians do not submit to force,” Pezeshkian said Monday.
Trump has continued using aggressive rhetoric toward Tehran while demanding a unified proposal for negotiations. At the same time, U.S. pressure in the Strait of Hormuz has remained in place despite a temporary pause in fighting.
MORE: Iranian officials and IRGC-affiliated media are signaling readiness for the imminent resumption of war.
Some senior Iranian clerical and political figures have expressed support for negotiations and for the negotiating team, but this support remains limited and does not… https://t.co/6ytbQkQfqg pic.twitter.com/ZDXocBx0Zq
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) April 22, 2026
The ceasefire’s fragility showed Wednesday when Iranian forces seized two commercial vessels after the truce had been extended. The incident fueled fresh doubts about whether diplomacy can hold if military factions inside Iran continue testing limits.
For IRGC hardliners, Trump’s demands may only reinforce their long-held belief that compromise invites more pressure. That dynamic could strengthen voices inside Tehran calling for missile retaliation, maritime escalation, or a prolonged standoff rather than direct concessions.
Iran’s power structure is notoriously complex, with overlapping institutions, rival factions, and competing interests. Not every Iranian official wants open conflict with the United States, especially given the economic damage and military risk a direct war would bring.
Trump is demanding visible movement from Tehran, while IRGC-linked factions reportedly favor resistance and pressure tactics. Neither side appears eager to look weak, and that leaves the ceasefire exposed to the next provocation.
