Pezeshkian Dismisses Resignation Rumours Amid US-Iran Tensions

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday dismissed rumours that he had resigned from his post amid an escalating military conflict with the United States. “If I were to resign, I would certainly announce it publicly. I will not resign and I will continue the struggle,” Pezeshkian said in a speech broadcast by the IRNA news agency. The statement was made to counter reports by Iranian opposition media claiming that Pezeshkian had repeatedly sought to tender his resignation to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. He also denied any discord with Khamenei and the Iranian armed forces, while emphasising that they were working together in full harmony. “Everyone knows that if there were a dispute, the armed forces would certainly be on Khamenei’s side,” Pezeshkian stated. Iran has been in a state of war with the United States since the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran last February. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes against Gulf states hosting US military assets. Subsequently, the US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire in April, followed by the signing of a peace memorandum brokered by Pakistan in June to halt the military conflict and achieve a peace agreement. However, the deal collapsed last month after the US and Iran exchanged attacks for nearly two weeks. US President Donald Trump then abruptly halted the airstrikes amid reports of talks to resolve the conflict.