Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian Submits Resignation to Supreme Leader, IRGC Commander Says Takeover: Report | Today’s news

As the US and Iran continue to work to reach a draft agreement after three months of conflict, Tehran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian resigned from his post on Sunday (local time) and sent an official letter to the supreme leader’s office.

Iran International reported the development, citing a source, adding that the letter was sent on Sunday. In it, Pezeshkian emphasized that he and the government were effectively excluded from major and key decision-making processes in the Islamic Republic, adding that the vacuum created by this situation allowed hardline factions within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to take control of affairs.

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Unable to run a government, to bear responsibility: Pezeshkian

Noting that he is unable to run the government and perform his legal duties under such circumstances, the Iranian president has asked for his immediate resignation.

It remains unclear whether Mojtaba Khamenei, the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, will accept Pezeshkian’s resignation, but the report suggests that the contents of the letter indicate a deep and unprecedented rift at the highest levels of power.

Tensions between the Iranian government, the IRGC

The development comes after months of tension between the Iranian government and Tehran’s military-security establishment. It has previously been reported that the IRGC has gradually curtailed many of the president’s powers and effectively taken control of key parts of the government.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the situation has pushed the Pezeshkian administration into a political and administrative stalemate, hindering progress in diplomatic negotiations and delaying planned cabinet reshuffles and reforms.

Pezeshkian calls IRGC escalation ‘madness’

In early May, Iran International, citing sources, reported increasing clashes between Pezeshkian and the Islamic Republic’s military leadership over the May 4 escalation in the Persian Gulf and attacks on the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to sources familiar with the discussions in Tehran, Pezeshkian reportedly expressed deep frustration with the actions of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), led by Ahmad Vahidi. He is said to have condemned the missile and drone attacks on the UAE as “completely irresponsible”, saying they were carried out without the government’s knowledge or consent.

The sources said Pezeshkian characterized the IRGC’s strategy of increasing tensions with regional countries as “madness” and warned that it could lead to consequences that may not be reversed.

Read also | Trump sends draft Iran deal back with changes: Report

With the situation deteriorating and fears growing over the possibility of a renewed conflict, Pezeshkian reportedly sought an urgent meeting with Mojtaba Khamenei to push for an immediate end to IRGC attacks on the Gulf states and avert further escalation.

Pezeshkian shares a mysterious message

Earlier on Sunday, the Iranian president shared a cryptic message on his official X account. Pezeshkian wrote: “It is impossible to face great challenges without enduring hardships. Crossing this rough and winding road is only possible through public awareness and cooperation. We must explain the existing reality to the people so that all segments of society participate in solving the problems. This shared pain will never be healed separately.”

Peace deal between the US and Iran

The development comes at a crucial time for peace talks between the US and Iran. Last week, US President Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social post that the Iran deal is “largely negotiated,” signaling that the end of the war is near. However, both sides have yet to come to a common ground. On Friday, Trump held a two-hour meeting and suggested he would make a “final decision” on the proposal sent by Tehran, but the Situation Room meeting ended without any major decision.

The US president on Sunday described Iranian officials as “very tough negotiators” and stressed that the United States was taking a patient approach to securing a broader agreement, Fox News reported.

In April, Trump also said the regime was “seriously broken,” citing the country’s internal divisions as one of the reasons for extending the ceasefire indefinitely a day before the previous agreement expired.

Key things

• The resignation signals a significant shift in Iranian policy and may affect ongoing US-Iranian negotiations.
• Pezeshkian’s departure reflects the growing power of the IRGC over the Iranian government.
• Internal divisions in Iran’s leadership could lead to further instability in the region.