Iran’s president denies threatening to resign during talks over strait of Hormuz

What Happened

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian denied claims that he repeatedly threatened to resign due to frustration over being excluded from decision-making by hardliners, including Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The allegations were made by Mohammad Bagher Kharazi, who is linked by marriage to Khamenei, and reported that Khamenei had warned he would accept the next resignation threat. Khamenei's office dismissed the claims as “fundamentally false and untrue.” Pezeshkian, in a television interview marking his second anniversary in office, asserted he was in harmony with the military and would not resign, while defending a US-negotiated memorandum of understanding on the Strait of Hormuz that has drawn fierce opposition from hardline factions, including the Assembly of Experts, which labelled hopes for an agreement “futile” and a “mirage.”

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The row exposes a deep rift between reformist President Pezeshkian and hardline factions, including the newly elevated Supreme Leader Khamenei, over whether to pursue a settlement with the US on the Strait of Hormuz. The outcome will shape Iran’s foreign policy direction, the viability of any deal to reopen the strategic oil shipping channel, and the internal balance of power at a time when Khamenei has remained unseen since an Israeli strike. A collapse of the talks or a presidential resignation could trigger a domestic political crisis and heighten regional tensions.

Watch For

Watch for concrete steps on the Oman-mediated memorandum of understanding between Iran and the US, including any public announcements of terms or timelines. Monitor statements from Pezeshkian, Khamenei’s office, and the Assembly of Experts for further signs of discord or policy shifts. Pay attention to any public appearance or communication from Supreme Leader Khamenei, as his prolonged absence fuels speculation about power dynamics. Also note any incidents in the Strait of Hormuz or related diplomatic moves by Western and Gulf states.