Iran's government flatly rejected reports that President Masoud Pezeshkian had resigned on Sunday. Officials accused foreign media outlets of spreading false rumors.
Seyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, the presidency's deputy communications chief, posted on X that the claim was fabricated. He called it "a continuation of previous ridiculous media games."
According to him, President Pezeshkian won't abandon his duty to Iranians. Iran itself won't deviate from its stance on unity and resistance, he added.
"They've published their own wishes instead of facts," Tabatabaei wrote on the platform. "They'll take their dream of dividing Iran to their graves."
Iran International reported a different version of events, however. The outlet claimed Pezeshkian had submitted a formal resignation letter to the Supreme Leader's office.
In that letter, he allegedly blamed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for overstepping its authority. Pezeshkian complained the IRGC had sidelined him from major policy decisions.
He told Mojtaba Khamenei the situation made effective governance impossible. That's why he wanted to step down immediately, sources said.
Tasnim News Agency, which is IRGC-affiliated, denied the resignation claim using an unnamed government source. The agency rejected suggestions Pezeshkian would quit.
Meanwhile, the IRGC has been consolidating control over state affairs. It's limited the president's powers while expanding its own executive reach.
This power grab intensified as Iran negotiates an end to its conflict. Officials worry the military faction will dominate talks affecting national interests.
Tasnim warned that Iran will reject any agreement it finds unacceptable. The country stands ready to walk away from negotiations if needed, the agency declared.
