Power Struggle Intensifies in Iran as Rival Factions Slam Pezeshkian’s Government
Written by
Shahriar Kia
Weeks after the formation of Massoud Pezeshkian’s government, the power struggle between rival factions within the Iranian regime shows no signs of abating. Members of the “Jebheh Paydari” [Persian for Endurance Front] a faction close to senior Supreme Leader advisor Saeed Jalili, have launched attacks on Pezeshkian, accusing him of appointing “traitorous” and “anti-regime” elements to key positions.
Leading the charge is Mahmoud Nabavian, a prominent member of the regime’s new parliament, supported by fellow MPs Hamid Rasaei and Amir-Hossein Sabeti. The recent appointment of Hossein Kermanspour as head of public relations at the Ministry of Health has become a focal point for criticism. In response to this appointment, Nabavian fiercely attacked Pezeshkian’s calls for unity, stating, “National unity won’t be achieved by appointing rioters and their supporters. It can only be fostered by bringing in revolutionary, faithful young people.” Referring to the regime’s loyal Basij forces, he added that national unity means “unity with the people, not with those who disrupt security and peace.”
Nabavian’s remarks come in the wake of an unprecedented attack on Pezeshkian, highlighting the deep divisions that have emerged since the death of former President Ebrahim Raisi. Nabavian accused several of Pezeshkian’s ministers of being complicit in the “sedition” during the 2009 and 2022 uprisings, referring specifically to the involvement of Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi, the current Minister of Health.
#Pezeshkian Follows in Raisi’s Footsteps toward #Iran’s Economic Collapsehttps://t.co/7omE4z7wtB
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 4, 2024
Nabavian remarked, “At least three ministers should have been disqualified based on the Supreme Leader’s standards. One of these ministers was involved in the 2009 sedition, and even the Ministry of Intelligence had confirmed his role. Another minister, implicated in the ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ protests, is accused of institutionalizing anti-religious values.”
In a continuation of the attacks, Amir Hossein Sabeti took to social media, posting on X (formerly Twitter), “Unity for the return of hypocrisy,” referring to Pezeshkian’s claims to foster national reconciliation.
The criticism extended beyond parliament. Mohammad Mokhtari, a Friday prayer leader in Birjand, issued a stern warning to Pezeshkian and his allies, urging them not to deviate from the path of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
“Those who supported the chaos of 2022 and still refuse to repent should not be part of the government. Their presence would bring disgrace to the administration and anger the Islamic community,” Mokhtari declared in his September 6 sermon. He further warned, “We are deeply concerned that those around the president may betray him, the revolution, and the people’s faith. If the faithful people of Iran sense that the president is being undermined by seditionists, they will once again cut off their hands.”
In Tabriz, regime official Saleh Abdollahpour added to the criticism, accusing Pezeshkian of forming a partisan cabinet despite claims of being above factional politics. “Pezeshkian constantly speaks of national unity, yet the cabinet he has assembled is entirely partisan. We see no sign of the unity government he promised,” Abdollahpour remarked.
Pezeshkian’s Admission Exposes #Tehran’s Fake Democracy, Sparks Backlash Within the Regimehttps://t.co/kRiE73WRmG
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) August 22, 2024
The severe infighting has also spilled over into the media. Alireza Panahian, a prominent cleric, criticized the polarizing role of the Kayhan newspaper. In a statement carried by multiple state media outlets, he called for stricter regulations, saying, “Polarization in newspapers is worse than spreading falsehoods. A newspaper that creates divisions should be shut down. Parliament must pass laws to prevent such harmful practices.”
Meanwhile, the regime’s economic troubles have added to the tension. Following revelations of a negative non-oil trade balance by Sadegh Selahvarzi, a member of the regime’s Chamber of Commerce, the Judiciary sentenced him to six months in prison and fined him. Selahvarzi stated, “The negative trade balance in non-oil sectors reached such heights last year that the government included oil exports in its trade reports to conceal the issue. In 2022, the non-oil trade deficit hit $16 billion, an imbalance not seen since 2011.”
As the internal strife and economic challenges mount, the future of Pezeshkian’s government remains uncertain. As Pezeshkian attempts to balance aligning with Khamenei while portraying himself as a leader concerned for the people, his duplicity is increasingly angering both rival factions and a public already exhausted by the regime’s unfulfilled promises.