In a striking display of the deepening divisions within Iran’s political elite, newly appointed President Masoud Pezeshkian has found himself at the center of a heated controversy over his recent comments about the formation of his cabinet.

On August 24, Pezeshkian, in a bid to showcase his loyalty to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, took his entire cabinet to the grave of former Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini. During this symbolic visit, he cautioned against internal divisions, warning rival factions not to play into “the enemies’ hands” by creating discord within the regime.

However, Pezeshkian’s assertion that all ministers were appointed by Khamenei has sparked significant backlash, igniting a fierce debate about the independence of the presidency. The newspaper Kayhan, closely aligned with Khamenei’s Office, sharply criticized Pezeshkian’s remarks, arguing that they were misleading and could be exploited by adversaries. “Pezeshkian’s claims of full coordination of the cabinet with Iran’s leader led to criticism, as it suggested for the first time that the president was openly acknowledging the cabinet’s complete alignment with the leader,” Kayhan stated.

This controversy has fueled speculation about the extent of Khamenei’s influence over the government, with outlets like Euronews questioning whether the president is merely a figurehead. In contrast, Arman newspaper defended Pezeshkian, suggesting that the backlash, particularly from Kayhan’s editor-in-chief Hossein Shariatmadari, reflects dissatisfaction with the approval of all the proposed ministers by the new government. “Shariatmadari’s claim reflects his displeasure with the approval of all the proposed ministers of the 14th government,” Arman noted.

The discord has not gone unnoticed by senior regime clerics and representatives of the Supreme Leader, who have issued stern warnings to Pezeshkian. Ahmad Alamolhoda, Khamenei’s representative in Mashhad, emphasized the importance of adhering to Khamenei’s directives, warning that deviating from his leadership would lead to failure and public disdain. Similarly, Majid Pourandokht, a Friday prayer leader, stressed that with the parliament’s full endorsement of the cabinet, Pezeshkian and his ministers have no excuses for any shortcomings.

Amid this turmoil, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, head of the Judiciary, praised the parliamentary vote as a significant achievement, describing the approval of the cabinet as a “great blessing.” However, his comments have been interpreted as an attempt to downplay the growing controversy over Khamenei’s influence on the appointments.

As tensions escalate, some factions within the regime are calling for drastic measures. The Student Basij of Amirkabir University of Technology issued a statement demanding the dissolution of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, accusing it of lacking independence and making a “strategic mistake” in approving the cabinet. Additionally, former parliament vice-president Ali Motahari defended Pezeshkian, arguing that his remarks were an attempt to provide transparency about the cabinet’s formation rather than undermine Khamenei.

The internal power struggle within Iran’s leadership reflects a regime grappling with its legitimacy. As factions clash over the extent of Khamenei’s influence, Pezeshkian’s efforts to affirm his loyalty may further expose the cracks in a government already facing severe internal and external challenges. With these divisions widening, the outlook for Iran’s political stability remains uncertain.

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