Iranian Hardliners Protest Against Reformist Ayatollah

As speculation intensifies regarding the finalization of an agreement between the Islamic Republic and the United States, a group of negotiation opponents gathered outside the office of Asadollah Bayat-Zanjani, a Grand Ayatollah (Marja’ al-Taqlid) in Qom, on Saturday afternoon, June 13, chanting slogans against the ongoing talks.

According to confirmation from the Grand Ayatollah’s son, the rally began around 1:00 PM outside the office. He stated that while some attendees attempted to radicalize the atmosphere of the gathering, other participants prevented tensions from escalating, and the rally ended after a few minutes. It has also been reported that similar gatherings were held outside the offices of several other prominent Grand Ayatollahs in Qom.

Extension of Recent Protests

These gatherings are a continuation of recent protests by opponents of the potential deal with the United States. Previously, groups of protesters in Tehran’s Ibn Sina Square and in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Mashhad had declared their opposition to the negotiation process by chanting slogans against Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.

The protests intensified after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that an agreement between Tehran and Washington was close to being signed, stating that, if finalized, the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened to international shipping.

In response, Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson for the Islamic Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has emphasized that what is currently underway between the two sides is merely a framework for continuing negotiations and should not be viewed as a final agreement.