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IRGC Commander Tightens Grip Amid Rial Collapse, U.S. Blockade

4/30/2026

48 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

IRGC commander Mohammad Vahidi is tightening his grip on military and population as Iran’s economy collapses and leader’s authority wanes.
The rial fell to 1,810,000 per U.S. dollar as one million Iranians lost jobs and inflation surged during six weeks of war and naval blockade.
The IRGC and Basij used lethal force to crush January protests over the rial’s collapse, while President Donald Trump kept naval blockade to pressure Iran.

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Story summary

IRGC commander Mohammad Vahidi is tightening his grip on military and population as Iran’s economy collapses and leader’s authority wanes.
The rial fell to 1,810,000 per U.S. dollar as one million Iranians lost jobs and inflation surged during six weeks of war and naval blockade.
The IRGC and Basij used lethal force to crush January protests over the rial’s collapse, while President Donald Trump kept naval blockade to pressure Iran.