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The appointment of Mohammad Javad Zarif as Strategic Deputy to the President has reignited a fierce power struggle within Iran’s political establishment, as factions vie for influence amid the ongoing regional crisis. From the onset, even before Masoud Pezeshkian‘s administration was sworn in, the Paydari Front, a faction closely aligned with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has been relentlessly undermining Pezeshkian’s authority. This internal clash has exposed deeper rifts within the regime, signaling that even Khamenei’s influence is waning within his own camp as he struggles to maintain unity amid mounting domestic and international pressures.
The Paydari Front, which includes vocal figures like Hamid Rasaee, has made no secret of its disdain for Zarif. Rasaee and his allies see Zarif as a symbol of failed diplomacy, particularly due to his association with the 2015 nuclear deal, which they believe jeopardizes the regime’s survival.
Taking to social media on October 20, Rasaee announced that 45 members of parliament had referred the issue of Zarif’s appointment to the legislative body, stating, “If the commission’s report is approved by parliament, this illegal appointment by the President will be fast-tracked for judicial review without the usual legal formalities.” His remarks, shared on social media, underscored the determination of the faction aligned with Khamenei to confront what they see as existential threats to the regime’s stability.
These factions’ willingness to confront Pezeshkian so aggressively highlights a significant shift: Khamenei’s traditional control over the faction is slipping. As the Paydari Front pushes its agenda, even against the Supreme Leader’s interest in preserving internal unity, it suggests that Khamenei can no longer afford to suppress factional disputes, reflecting a broader erosion of his influence.
Power Struggle Intensifies in #Iran as Rival Factions Slam #Pezeshkian’s Governmenthttps://t.co/j6FF8DT5LL
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 12, 2024
This internal rift has been exacerbated by the current war in the Middle East, which has further strained the regime’s already precarious position. On October 17, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the parliamentary speaker, acknowledged the severity of these internal tensions, warning in Mashhad that two critical issues — “internal disputes and the erosion of public support” — threaten the regime’s stability. Yet, his warnings have done little to curb the Paydari Front’s attacks.
These factions have not only targeted Zarif’s past but have also leveraged legal challenges against Pezeshkian himself. MP Kamran Ghazanfari, quoted by Ruydad24 on October 14, stated, “If President Pezeshkian does not immediately annul this illegal appointment, we will take the matter to the judiciary, and he must answer for it.” Ghazanfari further claimed that Pezeshkian could face a disqualification from public office, effectively removing him from the presidency — a move that would deepen the regime’s internal turmoil.
As the factions within the regime continue to clash, the potential for broader conflict looms. What remains clear is that these internal battles have exposed significant vulnerabilities, challenging Khamenei’s ability to keep his grip on power and highlighting the precarious state of the regime’s unity.