The political infighting within the clerical regime has reached new heights as a campaign to unseat Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani gains momentum. The conflict, which has surfaced following the recent sham presidential election, highlights the growing unrest and dissatisfaction within the regime’s ranks.
Mehdi Eghrarian, a member of Tehran’s City Council, confirmed that discussions are underway among council members to replace Zakani, despite his term ending in less than a year. Eghrarian’s remarks came amid a fierce debate in the council, as opponents and supporters of Zakani clashed over his performance and future.
Tensions reached a boiling point during a council meeting when Narjes Soleimani, daughter of the slain Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, harshly criticized Zakani’s leadership, stating, “Nothing has been accomplished in Tehran’s municipality over the past three years. The city was better managed during the election recess. The mayor lacks both approval and legitimacy.”
Her remarks were met with a strong defense of Zakani by council member Mohammad Aghamiri, who accused Soleimani of speaking out of turn and disrespecting her father’s legacy. This exchange prompted further backlash from two council members Eghrarian and Naser Amani, highlighting the deep divisions within the council.
#Iran News:
Tehran Mayor Zakani Signs Controversial Deal with #US Designated Mahan Airhttps://t.co/D383VD7sgr— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) June 4, 2024
The turmoil was further fueled by an article from the state-run Fars News Agency, which accused council members Eghrarian and Amani of personal vendettas against Zakani. Eghrarian responded by accusing Fars News of unprofessional conduct and hinting at nepotism linking some of its managers to Zakani.
According to some sources, nearly 120,000 signatures have been collected demanding Zakani’s removal, in a petition titled “Where is the Good Mayor?” which criticizes his authoritarian approach and decisions. Zakani dismissed the petition as fraudulent, vowing to continue his work with renewed determination.
Mehdi Chamran, head of Tehran’s City Council, downplayed the significance of the petition, stating, “The Islamic City Council appoints the mayor. Whether 150,000 or 50,000 people sign a campaign, it doesn’t justify a change.”
The infighting and accusations of corruption and incompetence reflect the broader power struggles within the Iranian regime. The push to remove Zakani, especially with less than a year left in his term, signals an escalation in the battle for influence among factions loyal to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Observers anticipate that the conflict will intensify in the coming weeks, shedding more light on the internal rifts plaguing the regime.
The regime’s lack of transparency and the behind-the-scenes nature of these power struggles reveal a system where personal and political interests often overshadow governance and accountability. As the factions continue to vie for control, the Iranian public observes and learns more about the depth of corruption among the ruling elites.
