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In a carefully worded yet unmistakably authoritarian address to the Islamic Consultative Assembly (the parliament also called Majlis) on June 11, 2025, the regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning to lawmakers not to challenge or burden the government led by President Masoud Pezeshkian. The speech, delivered during a formal session inaugurating the new presidium of the parliament came as the regime faces one of its most volatile periods in recent memory.
While publicly praising the parliament’s legislative role, Khamenei’s true message was to curb dissent and forestall criticism from MPs, even though they are already heavily vetted and purged through the regime’s opaque electoral system. “Avoid distracting the government by summoning ministers or asking excessive questions,” he said, echoing grievances reportedly voiced by the Pezeshkian administration. “Not all of these questions and summons are necessary. Focus only on what is essential.”
Behind this instruction lies a regime struggling to maintain control. Iran is currently grappling with deepening socio-economic discontent, especially among youth who see no prospects under theocratic rule. The regime’s mandatory hijab policy continues to provoke widespread resistance and has been stalled despite the push by various MPs. The controversial internet censorship bill, which would further isolate Iranians from the outside world, has also been stalled due to public backlash. Regional influence is also faltering, with proxies like Hezbollah and the Assad regime under mounting pressure or fallen.
#Khamenei Warns of Internal Doubt as Nuclear Talks and Crises Shake #Iran’s Ruling Systemhttps://t.co/ozjsJI9KBh
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) April 25, 2025
Khamenei, aware of these crises, is desperate to project unity at home. But his orders to the parliament only underscore the complete absence of genuine power-sharing in Iran’s clerical dictatorship. “From the country, only one voice should be heard on fundamental issues,” he declared, adding that “disputes over taste, politics, and management styles” are harmful and must be avoided.
This directive follows signs of blame-shifting from the Pezeshkian government, which has reportedly pointed fingers at the legislative body for policy gridlock and administrative shortcomings. In response, Khamenei has opted to rein in the parliament, shielding the executive from scrutiny at a time when the regime’s survival is at stake.
Khamenei’s speech was also marked by a subtle contradiction. While asserting that Iran’s parliament is unrivaled globally in its “true weight,” he made clear that MPs are expected to exercise restraint, deference, and ideological conformity—further nullifying their relevance in the state’s tightly controlled power structure. “This parliament, built on piety, is a place of worship,” he said. “But this sanctity will not preserve itself. It must be maintained through commitment to responsibility.”
Vetting MPs and Ministerial Nominees Vie to Prove Loyalty to Khamenei Amid #Iran’s Domestic and International Criseshttps://t.co/pDAAesUMgq
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) August 18, 2024
The broader implications are grim. If MPs follow Khamenei’s directive, the regime’s hollow, authoritarian nature becomes even more exposed, with lawmakers reduced to ceremonial obedience and no meaningful oversight of a failing executive. If they resist, it risks triggering infighting that could further unravel the regime’s crumbling façade. Either path highlights the system’s growing dysfunction.
Ultimately, Khamenei’s address revealed the deep anxiety gripping Iran’s ruling elite. Amid economic freefall, a restive population, international isolation, and factional infighting, his regime cannot afford a split within its ranks. Yet the very need to issue such warnings indicates that unity is no longer guaranteed—even among handpicked loyalists.