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Amidst mounting criticism and internal strife within Iran’s clerical regime, Kazem Sedighi, the temporary leader of Tehran’s Friday prayers, delivered his sermon on April 12, despite growing objections from state media and political figures in the country. This follows the controversy surrounding Sadeghi’s involvement in a recent “land-grabbing scandal.”<\/a><\/p>\n The renewed controversy surrounding Sedighi’s leadership emerged against the backdrop of dwindling support and sparse attendance at the weekly gathering, which typically draws regime loyalists. Images shared by Tabnak<\/a>, a news outlet associated with former IRGC Chief Mohsen Rezaee, showed minimal presence of regime officials and supporters, demonstrating systemic tolerance of negligence and corruption.<\/p>\n Gholamali Jafarzadeh Imenabadi, a former member of parliament, voiced criticism regarding Kazem Sadeghi’s reinstatement to lead the Friday prayers in Tehran following the revelation of his corruption. In an interview with the state-run Ruydad 24<\/a> website, he mentioned that some worshippers opted not to participate in the prayer led by Sadeghi and instead chose to pray separately. He characterized Sadeghi’s return as a “mockery of the people.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n In a statement, Mohammad-Ali Abtahi<\/a>, an advisor to former regime president Mohammad Khatami, condemned Sedighi’s leadership of the sermon, highlighting the regime’s inability to deceive the public, particularly in the era of social media.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Mohammad Mohahajeri, an editorial board member of the state-run Khabar Online, remarked, “Some believe that inviting Sedighi to lead the Friday prayer sermon violated its sanctity. Was it worth it? Speculation suggests that the Friday prayer headquarters allowed Sedighi’s presence to witness the scant turnout of worshippers and repent for his actions. However, his lack of remorse upon arrival is striking.”<\/p>\n #Iran<\/a> News in Brief — NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) March 31, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Calls for Kazem Sadeghi's resignation amplify following his confession to embezzling a staggering 1,000 billion tomans from Ozgol Gardens. Sadeghi, an influential Friday prayer leader in #Tehran<\/a>, has held high positions in the regime and has been a close\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/nSqJ3Qss7V<\/a><\/p>\n