"Us, Blade, Your Throat": Iran Hardliners Turn On Leaders Amid Coup Claims

In Iran and the United States on 18 July 2026, Iran said it was suspending commitments to an interim deal with the US after a seventh night of strikes, and Tehran declared the peace deal abandoned. Strikes by both sides ramped up. Khamenei said US ceasefire breaches prove Trump’s signature is “worthless” and vowed “unforgettable lessons”. France 24 wrote that Mojtaba Khamenei threatened the US and that two US military personnel were killed by Iranian strikes. A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader warned of “full-scale invasion, annihilation” if the US continues the war.

Some in Iran warned of a “coup” after the US agreement as the truce came under pressure.