TEHRAN — Iran’s Reform Front, the main umbrella of the Reformist political movement, has called for suspending uranium enrichment and capping the military’s role in politics, a rare challenge to the establishment that has triggered a fierce backlash from hard-liners in the wake of the war with Israel.

Factional rivalry in Iran’s political landscape is nothing new. It is as old as the Islamic Republic itself, which has, since 1979, systematically purged political groups or parties it deems threatening, despite their roles in overthrowing the Pahlavi dynasty.

Groups opposed to the revolution's core tenets have been largely eradicated, with leaders exiled, imprisoned or executed. Over time, shifting domestic and regional debates have reshaped political figures and factions, giving rise to new alignments even within the tightly controlled system.

Despite the suffocating environment, some groups have survived by adhering to the regime's principles, calling for reform without challenging the state’s existence. Chief among them is the Reformist movement, launched by former President Mohammad Khatami, which endured repeated crackdowns after his 1997 landslide victory yet remains a prominent force in Iran’s political scene.