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Amid ongoing domestic unrest and external challenges, the infighting among rival factions within Iran’s regime continues to escalate. On August 6, during a ceremony for the inauguration of the new head of the Planning and Budget Organization, the Iranian regime’s president Masoud Pezeshkian expressed frustration with the obstacles posed by opposing factions.
He questioned, “Why are the people dissatisfied with us? We keep making promises, but then we contradict ourselves behind their backs. If I know I can’t deliver, I shouldn’t falsely promise the people.” Pezeshkian further lamented, “They need to let me work… capable and knowledgeable people are sidelined with labels, just because some want to grab power… they take over and only make things worse.”
Simultaneously, a controversial statement from a member of the Assembly of Experts, Gholamreza Fayyazi, has sparked significant outrage inside the political circles in Tehran. Fayyazi questioned the religious legitimacy of former President Mohammad Khatami and labeled former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani as “accursed.”
Tensions Boil Over in #Iran’s Regime as Pezeshkian Makes Cabinet Pickshttps://t.co/EH4YiIYhWb pic.twitter.com/MEBpBaSNFF
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) August 6, 2024
Fazel Meybodi, a cleric close to Pezeshkian, reacting to these comments, warned of the dangers posed by such extremist rhetoric, stating, “One must be wary of a movement that writhes like a headless scorpion from within. Those who curse others with such intensity, who can say they won’t issue a fatwa for murder? This mindset could lead to a resurgence of politically motivated assassinations, like those in the 1990s.”
Adding to the tension, Ebrahim Fayyaz Zahed, a member of the government’s strategic council, mentioned that the recent assassination of Ismail Haniyeh has caused “limited disruptions” to Pezeshkian’s efforts to finalize his cabinet. He revealed that Pezeshkian is consulting closely with Supreme Leader Khamenei and security officials on the selection of his ministers.
Meanwhile, Alireza Salimi, the regime’s parliament spokesperson confirmed that Pezeshkian requested a delay in submitting his cabinet list to Parliament, signaling potential difficulties in forming a government that satisfies all factions.
Moreover, Pezeshkian’s deputy in parliamentary affairs, Shahram Dabiri, explicitly stated, “The members of the cabinet will be chosen based on Khamenei’s approval,” emphasizing the Supreme Leader’s decisive influence over the administration’s composition.
#Khamenei’s Influence and Media Battles Mark Pezeshkian’s Cabinet Selection Turmoil in #Iranhttps://t.co/CBhsRtyMDA
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 26, 2024
The state-run Jomhouri Eslami newspaper slammed Pezeshkian, arguing, “Mr. President, you were supposed to gather around you those who would be the voice of the voiceless, but your recent appointments suggest otherwise. If your cabinet follows this trend, we might as well read the eulogy for the 14th government now.”
On the economic front, regime economist Hossein Raghfar, in an interview with Rouydad 24, expressed deep concerns following a meeting with Pezeshkian.
“We advised against continuing the policies of previous governments and urged attention to the underprivileged,” Raghfar stated. He criticized past governments for being dominated by capital interests, accusing them not just of corruption, but of outright “plundering” the public treasury.
He went on to describe Iran as being caught in the “grip of corruption,” where capital has taken control of the government, citing specific examples, such as a family that has received billions from the state over the years to import oilseeds. Raghfar also pointed out the pervasive influence of security forces in the economy, claiming that “40% of the pharmaceutical market is controlled by security entities,” questioning the origins and intentions of those holding such power.
Highlighting the dangers of adopting a single exchange rate policy, Raghfar warned, “The whispers about a unified exchange rate are not good. It’s not feasible under the current conditions, and if implemented, people will take to the streets—this time it won’t be like before.”