India In Crosshairs Of Iran's Power Struggle As IRGC Derails Safe Passage Talks | Exclusive

Last Updated:March 17, 2026, 13:39 IST

At the centre of the IRGC’s continued offensive is its “Mosaic Doctrine”, a decentralised strategy that enables semi-autonomous units to conduct operations across the region

India’s efforts to secure safe passage for its interests in West Asia have run into uncertainty as a deepening power struggle within Iran exposes a split between the civilian government and the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Sources told CNN-News18 that New Delhi became aware of the internal discord during ongoing negotiations with Tehran, where Iranian government officials signalled willingness to halt attacks on Middle Eastern companies. However, parallel actions by the IRGC told a different story, with the force continuing strikes and refusing to scale down operations.

According to sources, the IRGC has maintained that it is bound by a “to-do list" set by the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, effectively disregarding the current government’s diplomatic outreach. This divergence has complicated India’s engagement, raising concerns over whether assurances from Tehran can be enforced on the ground.

The situation has been further complicated by the emergence of Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader, a development that analysts say has emboldened hardliners and removed earlier operational red lines. The result has been a visible escalation in regional strikes, even in cases where Iran has issued formal apologies.

At the centre of the IRGC’s continued offensive is its “Mosaic Doctrine", a decentralised strategy that enables semi-autonomous units to conduct operations across the region. Backed by proxy networks and covert funding, this structure allows the force to sustain attacks independent of the civilian leadership led by President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has effectively acknowledged this diffusion of authority, describing IRGC actions as “scattered command execution"—a rare admission that the state’s control over military operations is no longer absolute.

For India, the implications are significant. With critical energy supplies and regional connectivity projects at stake, any instability in Iran’s decision-making structure could directly impact Indian interests. The renewed signalling by the IRGC around the Strait of Hormuz—a key global oil transit chokepoint—has only heightened these concerns.

The divide is now stark: while Tehran pushes diplomatic outreach to Gulf nations and international partners, the IRGC appears to be charting its own course. Even after official apologies and attempts at de-escalation, strikes have continued, underscoring the limits of the government’s control.

For New Delhi, the core question remains unresolved: who truly speaks for Iran—the elected government, or the military establishment shaping events on the ground?

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