Iran denies Trumps claim of internal leadership split

Several high-ranking Iranian officials have issued identical statements, emphasizing unity within the nation and government. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf all released statements rejecting claims of a rift in leadership by US President Donald Trump.

The officials posted the same message on X, stating that “there are no radicals or moderates” in Iran. The message read: “We are all ‘Iranian’ and ‘revolutionary’, and with the iron unity of the nation and government, we will make the aggressor criminal regret his actions.” Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran’s first vice president, also shared a similar statement, adding that “Iran is not a land of rifts, but a stronghold of unity.”

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not made a public appearance since replacing his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28. According to reports, the younger Khamenei was wounded and “disfigured” in the strike.

US officials have stated that there are disagreements among Iranian leaders, with Trump claiming that Iranians are struggling to determine their leader’s identity. Trump has also alleged that there is infighting between “moderates” and “hardliners” in Tehran. However, Iranian officials have denied these claims, stating that the talks with the US are stalled due to the US blockade on Iran’s ports.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi dismissed allegations of a rift between the military and political leadership, saying that state institutions continue to act with unity and discipline. The situation remains tense, with air defences activated over Tehran earlier in the day, although no official confirmation of an attack has been made.

Source: Al Jazeera