Iran's President Pezeshkian Reportedly Submits Resignation Letter Amid IRGC Power Struggle, Tehran Denies

The resignation report

On Sunday, 31 May 2026, the London-based opposition outlet Iran International reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had sent a resignation letter to the office of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. An anonymous official told the outlet that the letter highlighted how the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had effectively taken over large parts of the government, excluding the president and other senior officials from vital decision-making.

The main source of differences between Pezeshkian and the head of the IRGC was the way the war was managed and its devastating consequences for the people's livelihoods and the country's economy.

According to the report, Pezeshkian stated he was unable to run the government or fulfill his responsibilities under these circumstances and therefore requested to resign. Sources indicated it was not yet clear whether Khamenei would accept the resignation, but the letter's content pointed to a deep and unprecedented rift at the highest levels of power.

Swift denial from Tehran

Within hours, the IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency, citing a government source, reported that President Pezeshkian had not resigned and continued to perform his duties, directly contradicting the Iran International report. Seyyed Mehdi Tabatabai, deputy director of communications and information at the president's office, rejected the report on X as "false" and described it as "media games."

Pezeshkian will not retreat from serving the Iranian people.

Tabatabai added that those seeking to undermine Iran's national unity would "once again take this wish to the grave," dismissing speculation about divisions within the country. Iran International subsequently posted the denial on its own X account.

Months of tension

Tensions between the president and the IRGC have been building for months. Iran International had previously reported that the Guards gradually restricted many presidential powers and effectively took control of key elements of the government. Informed sources described the situation as having placed Pezeshkian's administration in an impossible position, hindering progress even in diplomatic negotiations with the United States over a ceasefire and potential peace.

Khamenei in hiding

Last week, American officials revealed to CBS that Supreme Leader Khamenei is hiding in a secret location with limited access to the outside world, reachable only through a "labyrinth" of messengers. Even the highest officials of the Iranian government reportedly do not know his location and are unable to communicate with him directly.