Iran’s unseen supreme leader becomes weapon in escalating power struggle, experts say

Iran’s Internal Power Struggle Intensifies as Supreme Leader’s Role Questioned

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has denied reports that he threatened to resign, while analysts point to a deepening power struggle within the country’s leadership, centered on Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The conflict has surfaced amid reports that Khamenei has remained largely out of public view, fueling uncertainty about who is actually governing Iran.

Reports of Resignation Threats and Denials

According to a report from Iran International, senior cleric Mohammad-Bagher Kharrazi, a relative of the Khamenei family by marriage, claimed that Pezeshkian had repeatedly threatened to resign and was warned that his next resignation would be accepted. Kharrazi was quoted as saying, “If he resigns one more time, I will approve it.” He further claimed that the warning was intended to make Pezeshkian “back down.”

However, Pezeshkian’s office strongly denied the account. Mehdi Tabatabaei, the president’s deputy for communications and information, called the allegation “baseless and an outright lie.” Another presidential advisor said Kharrazi had no contact with the supreme leader and was known for telling “strange stories.”

In a televised interview, Pezeshkian said, “We are fully coordinated with the military forces. I will not resign, and I will stand firm. If I resign, I will formally announce that I have resigned.”

The Iranian presidency also denied Kharrazi’s claim that Pezeshkian had attempted to resign 28 times.

Supreme Leader’s Public Absence

A second report from Iran International alleged that Pezeshkian had met Mojtaba Khamenei only once, inside a vehicle with tinted windows at an undisclosed location in Tehran. The outlet’s unnamed sources said the encounter lasted several minutes, the two men could not see each other, and Pezeshkian was not permitted to shake Khamenei’s hand. The report claimed the president later questioned whether the voice he heard had actually belonged to the supreme leader.

Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father as supreme leader, has not appeared in any publicly released video or audio recording since taking office, according to reports. This prolonged absence has left rival factions uncertain about who is actually in charge.

Expert Analysis: A Struggle for Control

Iran expert and Fox News contributor Jonathan Schanzer said the internal struggle is increasingly visible as factions invoke Khamenei’s authority to attack opponents and protect their own positions. Schanzer described Iran as being controlled by an “Islamist oligarchic mafia system,” where the supreme leader functions as the “godfather,” arbitrating among rival factions and guaranteeing their access to power and money.

Kharrazi also claimed that Khamenei intended to replace Supreme National Security Council chief Mohammad-Bagher Zolghadr with Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Such a move would signal a shift in power toward IRGC hardliners, according to experts.

Differing Perspectives on the Crisis

Fox News reported the internal struggle as evidence of a regime under pressure, highlighting the supreme leader’s reclusiveness and the alleged threats against the president. The Jerusalem Post, meanwhile, framed the events as a power struggle over control of the Strait of Hormuz, with Khamenei warning Pezeshkian and divides within the regime becoming more apparent.

While both outlets agree on the existence of a power struggle, they offer different interpretations of its cause. Fox News emphasizes economic interests and the oligarchic nature of the regime, while the Jerusalem Post focuses on strategic and military concerns, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

Conclusion

The situation in Iran remains fluid, with conflicting accounts from official sources and anonymous insiders. President Pezeshkian’s public denial of resignation plans contrasts sharply with the claims made by Kharrazi, leaving the true state of Iran’s leadership uncertain. As the regime’s internal dynamics continue to unfold, observers will be watching for any signs of a shift in the balance of power.