Did Masoud Pezeshkian Step Down As Iran's President? Here’s The Truth Behind The Claim
Did Masoud Pezeshkian Step Down As Iran's President? Here’s The Truth Behind The Claim Published By, Last Updated: June 01, 2026, 09:36 IST The resignation
Did Masoud Pezeshkian Step Down As Iran's President? Here’s The Truth Behind The Claim Published By, Last Updated: June 01, 2026, 09:36 IST The resignation reports come amid recurring claims of tensions between Iran's civilian government and the country's military and security establishment. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. (Image: Reuters) Several reports have claimed that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has sought to resign over the growing influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the country’s decision-making process. However, Iranian authorities have rejected the claims and insisted that the president continues to perform his duties. The speculation emerged after UK-based outlet Iran International reported that Pezeshkian had submitted his resignation to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. According to the report, the president believed that the elected government had been sidelined from key wartime decisions, allowing hardline elements within the IRGC to exert greater influence over state affairs.
Dismissing the report, the IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency quoted a government source as saying that Pezeshkian had not resigned and remains in office. The president’s office also strongly denied the claim. Seyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, deputy head of communications and information at the president’s office, accused the media outlet of spreading false information and said Pezeshkian remained committed to serving the country. “The rumour-mongering by the disreputable foreign network is a continuation of previous ridiculous media games. They have published their own wishful thinking in place of reality," Tabatabaei wrote on X. He added, “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." What Did The Reports Claim? According to Iran International, Pezeshkian had submitted an official resignation letter to the Office of the Supreme Leader.
The report alleged that the president felt he was unable to effectively run the government or fulfil his legal responsibilities because major decisions were increasingly being shaped by the IRGC. The report further claimed that he had requested to step down immediately. Why Has The Claim Gained Attention? The resignation reports come amid recurring claims of tensions between Iran’s civilian government and the country’s military and security establishment. Earlier, The New York Times reported that a small group of influential figures, many of them current or former senior IRGC commanders, play a major role in shaping important decisions in Iran. The report said that while Iranian officials maintain that major decisions ultimately rest with the country’s leadership, policymaking is also influenced by a close-knit group whose members were shaped by their experiences during the Iran-Iraq war that began in 1980.
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