Who Really Governs Iran? – Part 2
Who Really Governs Iran?
When Iran and Saudi Arabia resumed diplomatic relations in 2023, it wasn't the Foreign Minister who led negotiations—but a Revolutionary Guards general. This episode reveals a fundamental truth: Iran has two foreign policies. One formal, represented by the Foreign Ministry. And one informal, controlled by security apparatuses making the actual decisions.
Between 2021 and 2024, the Iranian system underwent radical restructuring: The Foreign Ministry was systematically disempowered, moderate voices eliminated, the IRGC elevated to dominant force. This analysis shows how power actually functions in Tehran—and why Western diplomacy fails when seeking the wrong counterparts. Anyone wanting to understand Iran's nuclear policy, regional policy, or relationship with the West must understand who actually decides in Tehran.