Iran Denies Reports of Pezeshkian Resignation

Iranian officials rejected reports that President Masoud Pezeshkian resigned over a power struggle with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Tehran described the claims as rumor mongering by foreign media and accused outlets of publishing wishful thinking instead of facts. The initial report came from Iran International, a London-based outlet staffed by journalists from the Iranian diaspora.

It cited an unnamed source familiar with the matter who said the president submitted a resignation letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Sunday. According to the report, the president was frustrated by what he viewed as the growing influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps over government affairs.

The source claimed his administration had been excluded from key decision-making processes in the ongoing conflict.

U.S. broadcaster Fox News, subsequently reported the story. Iranian officials strongly denied the reports. Pezeshkian's deputy head of communications described them on X as rumor mongering.

The spokeswoman for the Iranian government called the reports a recurring tactic used by foreign-backed media to sow discord and instability. Pezeshkian was quoted by Iranian state media Sunday in a cabinet meeting saying he will continue as long as he breathes. Global news agencies and Japanese media reported on his phone call with Japan's prime minister on Monday.