Reports claiming that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had resigned triggered fresh speculation about internal power struggles in Tehran, but a senior Iranian official has denied the claims as “false.”
US media and foreign outlets reported that Pezeshkian had submitted a resignation letter to the Office of the Supreme Leader.
According to the reports, Pezeshkian allegedly asked to step down because he and his government had been excluded from key decision-making within Iran’s ruling system.
The reports claimed he told the Supreme Leader’s office that his administration could no longer fulfill its responsibilities under the current circumstances.
London-based outlet Iran International reported on Sunday that Pezeshkian had sent an official resignation letter to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s office.
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Citing a source familiar with the matter, the outlet said Pezeshkian wrote that the president and government had effectively been excluded from major and vital decision-making processes.
The report alleged that this vacuum had allowed hardline factions within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to take control of affairs.
IRGC influence cited as key issue
According to Iran International, Pezeshkian said he was unable to run the government or carry out his legal responsibilities and therefore requested to resign immediately.
The outlet also reported that months of tension had grown between the government and Iran’s military-security institutions.
It previously claimed that the IRGC had gradually restricted many presidential powers and effectively taken control of key parts of the government.
Political deadlock, stalled diplomacy
Informed sources cited by Iran International said Pezeshkian’s administration had become trapped in a political and executive deadlock.
The situation reportedly prevented diplomatic negotiations from moving forward and delayed the completion and implementation of desired changes to the cabinet structure.
Anonymous sources also claimed that the main dispute between Pezeshkian and the IRGC leadership was over the handling of the war and its destructive impact on people’s livelihoods and Iran’s economy.
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A senior Iranian official denied the reports on Sunday.
Seyyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, deputy head of communications at the president’s office, dismissed the resignation claims in a post on X, calling them “false” and part of the “media games” of certain foreign outlets.
“President Pezeshkian will not retreat from serving the people, just as the Iranian nation will not step back from the path of solidarity and resistance,” he wrote.
Tehran rejects talk of divisions
Tabatabaei said Iran would not retreat from the path of unity and solidarity.
He also rejected speculation about divisions inside the country, saying those seeking to undermine Iran’s national unity would once again “take that wish to the grave.”
His response came after multiple reports suggested that the alleged resignation reflected a deep and unprecedented rift at the highest levels of power.
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The alleged resignation reports come as the United States continues negotiations with Tehran.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly pointed to divisions within Iran’s leadership, previously saying the government was “seriously fractured.”
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran in late February.
Ceasefire remains fragile
Tehran retaliated with attacks targeting Israel and US allies in the Gulf, while also closing the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but later talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement.
Since then, Iran and the US have continued exchanging proposals and counterproposals in an effort to resume direct talks and end the war.
Another report said Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has been hidden in a secret location with limited access to the outside world. US officials told CBS last week that Khamenei was reachable only through a “labyrinth” of couriers.
According to the report, even senior Iranian government officials do not know his location and cannot directly contact him.
Iran International reported that it was not clear whether Khamenei would accept Pezeshkian’s alleged resignation. The outlet said the reported contents of the letter pointed to a serious divide within Iran’s power structure.
However, Iran’s presidential office has firmly denied the resignation reports, insisting that Pezeshkian remains committed to serving the Iranian people.
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