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The Guardian World1 min read
Iran dismisses Trump’s claim of leadership rift, says nation is ‘one soul’
TL;DR
Iranian officials have unitedly dismissed Trump's claims of a leadership rift, asserting that the nation is cohesive and committed to its leadership. They emphasized their collective identity as 'Iranian' and 'revolutionary'.
Key points
- Iranian officials reject Trump's claims of a leadership rift
- The nation is described as united and cohesive
- Key leaders include Masoud Pezeshkian and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
- The message emphasizes obedience to the Supreme Leader
- Iranian identity is framed as 'Iranian' and 'revolutionary'
Mentioned in this story
Masoud PezeshkianAbbas AraghchiMohammad Bagher GhalibafSupreme National Security Council
Supreme Leader of the Revolution
Several Iranian officials have stressed that their country is united, rejecting United States President Donald Trump’s claims of a rift in the leadership in Tehran.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf all issued statements rejecting the United States president’s assertion.
Pezeshkian and Ghalibaf joined the Supreme National Security Council in posting the same message on X.
“In Iran, there are no radicals or moderates,” it said.
“We are all ‘Iranian’ and ‘revolutionary’, and with the iron unity of the nation and government, with complete obedience to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, we will make the aggressor criminal regret his actions.”
Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran’s first vice president, also shared the statement, adding another note in English.
“Iran is not a land of rifts, but a stronghold of unity,” Aref said. “Our political diversity is our democracy, yet in times of peril, we are a ‘Single Hand’ under one flag. To protect our soil and dignity, we transcend all labels. We are one soul, one nation.”
Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not made a public appearance since replacing his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed by US-Israeli strikes on February 28.
US officials have said that the younger Khamenei was wounded and “disfigured” in the strike that killed his father.
The New York Times reported on Thursday, citing unidentified Iranian officials, that Khamenei is gravely wounded but remains “mentally sharp”.
Trump and his aides have been reiterating daily over the past week that there are major disagreements among Iranian leaders.
The US president claimed that Iranians are “having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is”, alleging that there is “crazy” infighting between “moderates” and “hardliners” in Tehran.
Citing the supposed rift by Trump could serve to justify the extension of the ceasefire while also putting the blame on Iran for the stalled diplomacy.
Tehran, however, has stressed over the past days that the talks – previously scheduled to take place in Pakistan – are not happening due to the US blockade on its country’s ports.
Q&A
What did Iranian officials say in response to Trump's claims?
Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, stated that the country is united and rejected Trump's assertion of a leadership rift.
Who are the key Iranian leaders that dismissed the leadership rift claim?
Key Iranian leaders include President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
What message did Iranian leaders post on X regarding unity?
Iranian leaders posted a message stating, 'In Iran, there are no radicals or moderates; we are all Iranian and revolutionary,' emphasizing national unity.
How does Iran's leadership view its relationship with the Supreme Leader?
Iran's leadership expressed complete obedience to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, highlighting their commitment to unity against external aggression.
