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As Iran’s regime gears up to form a new cabinet, internal power struggles have intensified, reflecting the broader tensions and factionalism within the ruling establishment. Masoud Pezeshkian, who was declared the winner of the sham presidential election amid unprecedented public discontent and nationwide boycott, has acknowledged the regime’s precarious position. In a straight admission, Pezeshkian revealed that only 8% of the populace participated in the second round of the parliamentary electoral show, describing this level of participation as “very dangerous.”
In a meeting with his rivals’ campaign leaders, Pezeshkian said, “My program follows the Supreme Leader’s general policies. I repeatedly said that my candidacy was driven by seeing the state in danger. In the second round of parliamentary elections, only 8% participated, which is very dangerous.”
This acknowledgment aligns with the statement from the Social Headquarters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, which reported a mere 8.2% turnout, equating to about 5 million voters, based on monitoring data from 1,941 polling stations across the country.
#Iran’s Regime Plagued with Intensifying Power Struggles amid Upcoming Cabinet Appointmentshttps://t.co/TowfTleAle
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 20, 2024
Pezeshkian has also attempted to align himself with the legacy of Qasem Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force, by meeting with Soleimani’s family and asserting, “Soleimani’s path was one of unity and solidarity. We have abandoned this path and are fighting among ourselves; we must solve our problems by emulating his approach.”
However, these assurances have failed to placate factions close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The daily Kayhan ran a headline warning, “Take this warning seriously! Pezeshkian is surrounded by security convicts and those at odds with the system.” Kayhan added, “The Supreme Leader addressed the candidates on June 25, advising them to appoint officials who won’t deviate from the system.”
Kayhan, which takes directives from Khamenei’s office, also urged Pezeshkian to retain some of Raisi’s cabinet members “to ensure continuity in governance.”
Mahmoud Nabavian, a parliament member, attacked Mohammad Javad Zarif, who had been appointed by Pezeshkian to select cabinet members, calling him an American-raised individual whose “flesh, blood, and bones were formed in the land of infidelity.”
Meanwhile, the state-run website Ruydad24 highlighted a dual strategy by principlists to undermine Zarif and belittle Pezeshkian, creating obstacles for the new government’s leadership council.
Infighting Intensifies as #Iran’s Regime Forms New Governmenthttps://t.co/peLux8N6jc
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 18, 2024
In his July 19 Friday sermon, Khamenei’s representative in Mashhad Ahmad Alamolhoda urged parliament to block Zarif’s appointment, warning against “appointing someone who believes in making deals with enemies.”
Alamolhoda said, “If someone is to be approved as the custodian of foreign policy in this country, do not approve someone who thinks it’s possible to shake hands with the enemy. God forbid, do not approve such a person for foreign policy responsibilities.”
He added: “Now imagine an ambassador or the U.S. Secretary of State comes, holds the gentleman’s hand, and they walk down the street together, giving up everything in the process. They load centrifuges onto trucks like scrap metal, pouring concrete into the Arak heavy water facility. We must avoid such naive actions.”
Similarly, Hassan Ameli, the Friday Prayer Leader in Ardabil, stressed, “If the president wants our society to advance and our government and country to thrive, I ask the President to take the words of the Supreme Leader to heart. Anyone who has even the slightest divergence from the revolution, from the late Imam, and the Islamic system, is not suitable for you. He will not be a good colleague for you. Now, everyone is watching to see who the President will bring into his cabinet and who will be given sensitive posts, including in the provinces.”
Citing Zarif’s remarks, he added, “Mr. President should not turn to those who believe that the master key is in the hands of America and Europe and that they can destroy us with a single bomb. Mr. President, do not surround yourself with these people, or you will lose both your work and governance, and it will harm the system.”
Mostafa Faghihi, a former media advisor to ex-President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, commented on the fierce attacks against Zarif, noting that hardliners have resumed their ruthless criticism. “The slanderers of the past three years, who relentlessly attacked Rouhani’s government, have returned to their old ways to prevent any steps towards lifting sanctions and solving some economic problems.”
Citing the controversy in Tehran’s Friday Prayers sermon, where Basij members chanted derogatory slogans against Zarif, Faghihi said, “Why such early insults against Zarif at Friday Prayers when the cabinet has not even been announced yet?”
In response to the intense criticism, Khamenei’s close aid Saeed Jalili vowed to continue his “shadow government” initiative, despite serious political backlash and accusations of interference. Jalili was also attacked by Mehdi Arab Sadeq, a resigned deputy of the Motalefeh faction, who warned that failing to distance himself from radical elements would lead to his political downfall.
