Iranian state television aired images of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei meeting with members of Ebrahim Raisi’s cabinet.

During the session, overseen by Acting President Mohammad Mokhber, Khamenei laid out his expectations for President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian and his forthcoming administration. Khamenei extolled the virtues of the late Ebrahim Raisi, presenting him as an ideal model for leadership. “Martyr Raisi was genuinely hopeful and optimistic about the future, firmly determined to achieve the outlined goals,” Khamenei stated. He highlighted Raisi’s unwavering revolutionary stance, noting, “Raisi was clear and unwavering in his revolutionary stances. In his first interview, when asked about establishing relations with a certain country, he decisively said no. This clarity was evident in all his actions.”

The Supreme Leader urged Pezeshkian to embody these traits, saying, “It should be documented as an example that a head of the executive branch can possess and pursue these practical, intellectual, and heartfelt qualities.” Khamenei also criticized rival factions within the regime, accusing them of lacking commitment and reliability. He contrasted them with those who showed dedication during the Iran-Iraq war and in operations in Syria and Iraq, framing these actions as “defending the holy shrines.”

Mohammad Sabzi, the Friday prayer leader of Mamounieh and a parliament member, emphasized the need for the new leader to distinguish himself from anti-revolutionaries and the People’s Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK). “Our people want a president who is trustworthy,” he declared. Similarly, MP Mojtaba Yousefi insisted, “The fourteenth government must continue to diligently follow the path of Raisi’s administration. Pezeshkian should take the first serious steps to solve the country’s problems by introducing a strong cabinet and acting in a way that completes the work of the martyred president.”

However, Raisi’s tenure was marked by a series of troubling statistics and repressive measures. His presidency saw a rise in executions and a brutal crackdown on widespread public protests. The economy suffered, with the national currency’s value dropping, the housing crisis worsening, and increased efforts to bolster religious seminaries’ influence in Iran’s education system.

Following the contentious election, the power struggle within Khamenei’s faction has intensified, with various groups blaming each other for their failures. The state-run Asr Iran reported early clashes on social media between supporters of Saeed Jalili and Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, both of whom lost in the election. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s faction member, Jalil Mohebbi, noted, “Write in history that Jalili lost the elections to the reformists twice!” Similarly, Ghalibaf’s advisor, Mohammad Saeed Ahadian, lamented on social media, “The 2013 election was repeated, just like that.”

The Farhikhtegan newspaper, affiliated with Khamenei’s advisor Ali Akbar Velayati, warned that Pezeshkian could “exacerbate social divides” and create crises depending on his approach. The state-run Sazandegi stressed that 80% in the first round showed opposition and criticism towards current conditions, moving from external to internal sanctions, potentially leading to civil disobedience.

In a strategic move, former president Hassan Rouhani subtly challenged Khamenei in his congratulatory message to Pezeshkian. While ostensibly celebrating the “election victory,” Rouhani signaled opposition to Raisi’s policies, stating, “In this election, the people showed that they do not want the economic policies and management style that have resulted in the highest inflation rate and the most fragile misery index over the past three years.”

MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI  (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu