The Iranian government has strongly refuted claims that President Masoud Pezeshkian offered to step down, branding the reports as part of a disinformation campaign by foreign outlets. Seyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, a senior communications official in the presidency, took to X to denounce what he described as a continuation of baseless media fabrications.
Tabatabaei emphasized that Pezeshkian remains committed to serving the nation and will not abandon his post, regardless of mounting pressures. He accused those spreading the rumors of projecting their own desires onto the Iranian people, asserting that their attempts to undermine national unity will fail.
The Tasnim News Agency, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also contradicted reports from Iran International claiming that Pezeshkian had formally resigned due to IRGC overreach. According to Tasnim, a government insider dismissed the resignation story as entirely false.
Iran International had earlier alleged that Pezeshkian submitted a resignation letter to the Supreme Leader’s office, citing frustrations over being sidelined by hardline IRGC factions in key decision-making processes. The report suggested that the president told Mojtaba Khamenei he could no longer govern effectively under such conditions.
The IRGC has increasingly asserted control over state affairs, limiting presidential authority and influencing negotiations with the United States. Iran has indicated it will demand modifications to any draft agreement if US President Donald Trump proposes changes, signaling Tehran’s readiness to walk away if terms are unfavorable.