Regime infighting: shroud-wearing hardliners rally outside IRGC headquarters, accuse the Guards of defying Khamenei

A group of hardline women wearing white burial shrouds rallied outside the Revolutionary Guards headquarters in Tehran, accusing Iran's armed forces of defying Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and demanding retaliation over threats against him, Iran International reported Saturday night.

Protesters carried placards warning that Khamenei's life was in danger. "The Imam's life is in danger. Act now. Tomorrow will be too late," read one handwritten sign. A yellow banner addressed military commanders, saying Khamenei's October 31 order for an "immediate, effective strike without geographical limits" remained unfulfilled. "Obey before it is too late," it said. Over a loudspeaker, the crowd chanted: "Beware, O armed forces, of defying the leader!"

An IRGC representative came out with what he said was a message from the Guards commander, telling the women that commanders could not meet them in person and urging them to leave: "This area is not safe. The enemy could exploit the situation at any moment. Please clear the area."

The rally, held Nov. 5, drew a sharp rebuke from Tabnak, a news site linked to Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei, which accused the demonstrators of turning against state institutions and warned that action against their movement had begun. The conservative daily Khorasan also criticized the protest. Journalist Masoud Kazemi told Iran International that the group, known as Toueh, sees itself as speaking for Mojtaba Khamenei's positions.

Iran International noted the contrast with how the regime treats ordinary protesters: security forces have repeatedly used lethal force against anti-government demonstrations, while loyalists were allowed to gather outside one of the country's most sensitive military sites.