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As the clerical regime in Iran gears up for the formation of a new government, rival factions are fiercely contesting for influence and power, with media outlets aligned with various factions becoming battlegrounds for these internal disputes. This intense infighting undermines Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s directives to avoid public discord and fall in line with the administration of the slain president Ebrahim Raisi.
Behzad Nabavi, a former enforcer now turned a so-called “reformist” accused the rival faction of power grabbing. In a note that was published by his peers’ media, he wrote, “It seems that the slogan ‘everything for Iran’ before the elections has turned into ‘everything for the Ministry.’ I implore all committee members to stop demanding their share of the cake for the sake of Iran and the unfortunate Dr. Pezeshkian. I suggest that the chairperson and all committee members be prohibited from holding any positions or titles.”
Amid these tensions, the state-run Kayhan newspaper claimed that Raisi’s administration left the new government a well-established groundwork, stating it had handed over a “saddled horse.”
In response, Ham-Mihan newspaper wrote, “Those who handed over this saddled horse, why didn’t they ride it a bit themselves so the people could enjoy their horsemanship? Today’s inflation is unprecedented in the last 80 years.”
Factions Close to Khamenei Clash After #Iran’s Sham Electionhttps://t.co/BDEcFQUGOM
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 8, 2024
Mostaghel Online added, “In the electricity sector, the imbalance has doubled, meaning their saddled horse is equipped with a time bomb.”
Etemad Online questioned, “If the thirteenth government is handing over a saddled horse to Pezeshkian, why did the people refuse to vote for the candidate of that saddled horse?”
Sazandegi newspaper also highlighted Raisi’s massive debt legacy of 775 trillion tomans, questioning whether the new administration received a “saddled horse or scorched earth.” Khabar Online, close to former Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, acknowledged the regime’s declining legitimacy, pointing out high blank vote rates in Tehran, Khorasan Razavi, and Isfahan, reflecting widespread public disillusionment.
Meanwhile, state officials and media continue to attack Saeed Jalili, a Khamenei aide and failed presidential candidate, for his claim to form a “shadow government.” Critics like former Tehran mayor Gholamhossein Karbaschi, ex-parliament member Hossein Naghavi Hosseini, and former presidential chief of staff Mahmoud Vaezi dismissed Jalili’s legitimacy and feasibility.
Saeed Jalili had claimed that he would form a shadow government and “take action” if Pezeshkian failed.
Karbaschi questioned, “What authority does he have to form a shadow government?” Naghavi Hosseini remarked, “A shadow government requires financial and logistical support. To my knowledge, there’s no budget line for Jalili’s shadow government. He should come into the sunlight and clarify.”
Reasons Behind #Khamenei’s Forced Approval of Masoud Pezeshkian in #Iran’s Sham Electionhttps://t.co/OC0zjoxuLn
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 11, 2024
Mahmoud Vaezi also warned, “Who is Jalili to say he will step in if Pezeshkian doesn’t perform well?” He added, “It’s dangerous for someone who lost to say they want to form a shadow government.”
Alireza Alavitabar, an advisor to former President Mohammad Khatami, expressed concern about the regime’s future, warning that if President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian’s cabinet continues current policies, the system faces potential collapse. He warned, “If Pezeshkian’s cabinet symbolizes the continuation of the current situation, we are all doomed. No longer can the people be invited to elections that fail to end deadlocks.”
Meanwhile, U.S. internal politics also affected Iran, as Kayhan criticized the appointment of J.D. Vance as Donald Trump’s vice-presidential candidate, labeling it bad news for the self-proclaimed “moderate factions” in Iran who root for engagement with the West. Kayhan wrote, “This is ‘bad news for domestic Westernizers’ because Vance has called the JCPOA a disastrous agreement.”
The state-run “Chand Sanieh” website highlighted Vance’s hardline stance against the Iranian regime, predicting tougher policies ahead.
