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Pezeshkian vs. Mokhber: Infighting Intensifies Amid Last-Minute Iran Nominations

Posted on by darion







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The internal conflict within the Iranian clerical regime has intensified as officials in the outgoing Raisi administration attempt to consolidate their faction’s influence through a series of last-minute appointments. Despite a formal letter of protest from Masoud Pezeshkian and an alleged directive from acting President Mohammad Mokhber to halt any changes until a new government takes office, the moves continue, sparking a bitter battle with the regime’s president-elect.

State-run newspaper Eghtesad News revealed on July 9 that the appointments include key government positions that are crucial to the functioning of the respective ministries. The documents confirm that despite Mokhber’s directive issued on June 1, some executive bodies continued to make appointments, violating the interim president’s orders. The said appointments include prominent positions in the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development and the Iranian Airports and Air Navigation Company.

In a letter to Mokhber dated July 8 Pezeshkian demanded a halt to all new appointments and contracts in ministries and executive bodies, unless unavoidable circumstances arise. He wrote: “Ensure that no new contracts or appointments are made in any ministry or presidential department, except for routine operations and necessary payments. In unavoidable cases, obtain written consent from your office.”

Sowlat Mortazavi, current Minister of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare, rejected Pezeshkian’s motion, arguing that the current administration remains responsible until the end of its term. He stated: “The government is responsible to the nation, parliament and the president until the last moment of its term in office. Mokhber’s directive concerns administrative bodies, while appointments are made within companies subordinate to public institutions.”

Ali Asghar Anabestani, a member of the 11th parliament who failed to win a seat in the 12th, was controversially appointed to the board of the Steel Workers’ Pension Fund by Mortazavi. In addition, the General Inspection Organization of Iran intervened, considering the appointments a violation of the Mokhber directive. The head of the organization wrote to Reza Nakhjavani, deputy minister of roads and urban development, stating: “The recent appointments in the Iranian Airports and Air Navigation Company are in violation of the directive issued on July 1.”

On Wednesday, July 10, Ali Bahadori Jahromi, a spokesman for Raisi’s administration, took to social media platform X to address the recent controversy surrounding the outgoing administration. He stated, “After the claims of cabinet resignation, there were accusations that the dams were emptied, which was resolved; then the debts of the past 10 years and the liabilities of the municipalities were falsely attributed to another party.”

Responding to Masoud Pezeshkian, Jahromi explained: “When someone resigns, it is natural that the activities of this department cannot be stopped.”

The government spokesman further lamented: “It is sad that instead of preparing for service, you are prematurely embroiling the new government in disputes over shares in power!”

Despite the unrest, Pezeshkian is scheduled to be inaugurated on Aug. 1, 2024, and his presidency will officially begin on Aug. 2. The power struggle within the regime highlights deep divisions and significant infighting within the regime itself.

In a post on X, Hamideh Zarabadi, spokesman for the Electoral Committee, noted the ongoing violations: “Despite the issuance of directives to all executive bodies ordering them to refrain from organizational changes, we continue to receive reports of mass and illegal nominations, contrary to the given guidelines.”

To complicate matters even further, former deputy prosecutor Abbas Abdi commented on the controversy by stating, “All last-minute appointments and agreements will be subject to review and will be deemed null and void unless proven otherwise.”

A Guardian Council spokesman also weighed in, criticizing Pezeshkian’s letter for exceeding his authority and attempting to undermine the authority of the current administration. Tahan Nazif said: “The vice president, as head of the executive branch, is acting president until inauguration day. After that, he may continue in his duties as vice president for as long as the incoming president desires.”

Meanwhile, aviation industry experts have raised concerns about the qualifications of the new appointees, suggesting that “recent appointees lack the necessary managerial and technical education, which could harm the professional structure of the organisation.”

The dispute over these appointments is not just a power struggle but also a serious governance issue, reflecting broader concerns about the stability and functionality of the regime’s political system.

Meanwhile, on the international stage, Pezeshkian reaffirmed his support for Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, emphasizing that “Iran’s strategic alliance with Syria” would continue under his rule. In a phone call, Pezeshkian assured Assad that “the policies of the Islamic Republic under the leadership of the Supreme Leader will continue to support the Syrian government as a strategic ally.”