Iran's hardline factions accuse the leadership of a soft coup following a US deal, as Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei remains absent from public view.

Hardline factions in Iran believe that instead of avenging the late supreme leader’s killing, Iranian officials have surrendered by signing an agreement with the US.

Iranian hardliners believed a soft coup was underway during negotiations with the United States. Visible leaders pursued a deal abroad while internal authority contests grew. …