Reports surfaced on May 30 that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had submitted a resignation letter to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The reports claimed Pezeshkian was sidelined amid a power struggle with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) controlling decisions [1, 2].
The initial report came from Iran International, a London-based media outlet linked to the Iranian diaspora opposition [1, 2].
On the same day, President Pezeshkian posted a message on X saying Iran faced "major challenges" and pledged to lead "as long as I breathe" [1].
Iranian officials strongly denied the resignation story the following day, May 31. Mehdi Tabatabaei, Deputy Head of Communications at the Presidential Office, called it "false" and "rumour mongering" spread by foreign media. He said, "Pezeshkian would not back down from serving the Iranian people. Iran would not retreat from the path of unity and solidarity" and criticized the claims as "baseless" [1, 2, 3].
President Pezeshkian continued to perform official duties on May 31, including a phone call with Japan's prime minister [1].
The political tension follows a ceasefire between Iran and the US/Israel that took effect April 8, brokered by Pakistan. However, peace talks since have stalled [3].
Officials maintain that President Pezeshkian remains fully in charge despite reports of resigning amid alleged IRGC dominance. No further developments on Pezeshkian's status have emerged since May 31.
