Iran jails hard-line lawmaker, exposing leadership rift over US deal

Iranian authorities convicted and jailed hard-line lawmaker Hamid Rasaei for publishing false information against the Parliament speaker, a move that signals deepening internal divisions over a potential diplomatic deal with the US. The conviction is a direct blow to hard-line opposition to negotiations, suggesting the establishment is consolidating power around a pro-deal faction. The incident underscores instability within Iran's political elite as it navigates nuclear diplomacy.