Pezeshkian Denies He Intends to Step Down amid Mounting Internal Disputes in Iran

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian firmly denied on Tuesday any intention to step down, addressing mounting internal disputes and claims that he had threatened to resign multiple times. Pezeshkian stated that he would not quit and would continue his work, pushing back against a campaign he believes aims to weaken his government by portraying it as being at odds with other state institutions.

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If I wanted to resign, I would say so openly. I will not quit, but I will go on.

Responding to rumors of divisions between his office and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Pezeshkian asserted that his government operates in "complete coordination" with all state bodies, including the armed forces. He dismissed these claims as attempts to create artificial disputes, emphasizing that the leadership's unified stance does not require further explanation.

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They want to create a dispute. The leadership says one thing, and they say another. However, what is in the open does not need an explanation.

The president's remarks followed a report citing Mohammad-Baqer Kharrazi, Secretary-General of "Hezbollah of Iran," who alleged that Pezeshkian had threatened to resign 28 times since taking office in 2024. Kharrazi also suggested that Khamenei has become more directly involved in Iran's decision-making processes, contrasting his style with that of his predecessor.

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If Mr. Pezeshkian wanted to resign one more time, then I would agree to it.

Kharrazi further claimed that Khamenei intended to reshuffle the Supreme National Security Council, potentially replacing its secretary with an adviser to Khamenei. These alleged internal shifts highlight ongoing power dynamics and potential realignments within Iran's leadership structure.

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You don’t know Mojtaba. His father, the martyred leader, used to humor and flatter a bit, but Mojtaba does not at all.