With only a few days left until Masoud Pezeshkian officially announces his list of candidates for the new government, escalating power struggles and severe conflicts among rival factions within Iran’s clerical regime have intensified. Hence, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei decided to intervene on July 21 and expressed his concerns about these divisions during a meeting with members of the regime’s parliament.
In his remarks, Khamenei said, “My emphatic recommendation is constructive interaction between the parliament and the new government. A unified voice must be heard from the country so that those abroad who are keenly listening for signs of discord and division will be disappointed. Only one voice should be heard.”
“The parliament should not be the origin of turmoil in public opinion,” Khamenei added. “Negative portrayals and pessimism, which have occasionally been seen in some parliaments by some representatives, should be avoided. Both you and the revered president-elect have profound responsibilities.”
Cautioning Pezeshkian about the people he chooses for this administration, Khamenei said, “The one who should lead must be honest, devout, and entirely committed to the Islamic Republic and the Islamic system.”
Furthermore, while outlining red lines on foreign policy, Khamenei added, “Among the good and impactful actions of the parliament in the field of foreign policy is the Strategic Action Law of the Eleventh Parliament. Of course, some have criticized and objected to this law, but their criticisms are completely invalid, and the passing of this law was a very correct action.”
This law, which was passed in December 2020, obliges the government to violate the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and lead to accelerating uranium enrichment capacity.
Reasons Behind #Khamenei’s Forced Approval of Masoud Pezeshkian in #Iran’s Sham Electionhttps://t.co/OC0zjoxuLn
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 11, 2024
Meanwhile, in a parliamentary session on July 21, Masoud Pezeshkian a member of parliament and the regime’s new president-elect, warned against the consequences of factional infighting: “The country cannot be managed with conflict and quarrel.”
During the session, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Parliament Speaker, expressed concern over the widespread boycott of the presidential election by the Iranian public. He warned, “The lack of willingness of a significant portion of the people to use their right to vote is a reality that should awaken politicians. Although this issue has various roots, analysts and researchers should address it, as its implications for the governance system and the overall fate of society are so severe that they cannot be easily ignored.”
However, MP Mehdi Kuchakzadeh dismissed Pezeshkian’s calls for unity, saying, “Mr. President, you call for unity, but the country cannot be unified with the symbol of discord and division, Mohammad Javad Zarif.” Kuchakzadeh added, “Zarif has chosen individuals for his committees who deny the essence of the clergy and the Islamic Republic.”
Also, Alireza Salimi expressed concern over the exclusion of hardliner affiliates in the new government, stating, “The publication of Zarif’s council names revealed their ruthless pursuit of purification, and they are doing so at lightning speed.”
Meanwhile, the mounting pressure on Pezeshkian and his so-called leadership council was not limited to the parliament; numerous other state officials and media outlets also joined the chorus.
Ahmad Alamolhoda, Khamenei’s representative in Mashhad, criticized the Pezeshkian government, particularly Zarif: “Regarding the JCPOA, many gentlemen engaged with humiliating softness, and you saw the disasters it caused, the investments lost, and the disgrace our nation faced globally. Our main concern today is related to this foreign policy.”
In its editorial, the Kayhan newspaper pointed out that “two weeks after Pezeshkian’s election, neither the US nor the European Troika have congratulated him.” Kayhan added, “Mr. Pezeshkian, you reference the Supreme Leader and emphasize the implementation of the overall policies of the state, yet you do not pay enough attention to the leader’s statements and guidance.” Kayhan warned, “Those around Pezeshkian intend to annihilate revolutionary forces.”
In #Iran’s Sham Presidential Election, the People Won and #Khamenei Losthttps://t.co/2SjElsj9ZK
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 7, 2024
In another article, recalling the fate of former president Abolhassan Banisadr who was ousted by Khomeini, Kayhan warned Pezeshkian, “Undoubtedly, in Iranian politics, the distance between becoming a Gorbachev and a Banisadr is less than a hair’s breadth. Ignoring this can have dangerous consequences for the country’s future.”
In its editorial titled “Dangerous Innovations,” Javan newspaper, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, wrote, “The views on the Leadership Council are not particularly positive, as unfavorable reports about the backgrounds of its members have emerged. Among them are individuals with anti-religious and anti-state standings, and some with economic convictions. The real tragedy is that they initially assume Iran is divided, allocate shares accordingly, and then call it ‘national unity.'”
Meanwhile, Mohammad-Taqi Fazel Meybodi, a member of the Qom seminary, suggested that the attacks against Pezeshkian are highly coordinated. He said, “The insults against Mohammad Javad Zarif in Friday prayers are orchestrated from behind the scenes and are not spontaneous. These people sit in their war rooms, plan, and think about what to do tomorrow. They instruct their platforms and groups to rise and chant slogans. Essentially, a faction that has been in power wants to remain so and now feels it cannot maintain the same quality of power. Therefore, it will do anything to crush this government and prevent its success, aiming to bring failure and defeat to the nation for its own benefit.”
As various factions within the regime clash for greater power, the vast majority of the Iranian people, who have boycotted the entire regime and its electoral charade, are witnessing their deepening economic, social, and political woes. They are eagerly awaiting an opportunity to exploit the cracks within the ruling establishment, hoping to ignite a spark that will lead to a significant social upheaval.