Sufi: Khamenei's Opposition to Jahangiri's Resignation

A member of the Reformist Policy Council announced that Eshaq Jahangiri, the First Vice President of Iran, has resigned but continues to work due to the Supreme Leader's opposition. According to Tasnim News Agency, Ali Sufi, Minister of Cooperatives in Mohammad Khatami's government, stated in a television interview that Jahangiri resigned and, because he is the head of the Resistance Economy Headquarters, he 'should have had the Leader's permission.' The Supreme Leader issued the 'General Policies of Resistance Economy' in 2013, and Jahangiri has been appointed as the head of this headquarters since Hassan Rouhani's first government. Sufi mentioned that Jahangiri informed the Supreme Leader in a letter that 'I cannot be useful, and the Resistance Economy is not progressing.' He stated that the Supreme Leader did not see Jahangiri's resignation as 'in the interest of the country.' Sufi did not specify the exact date of the resignation. He cited 'disagreement' with Mahmoud Vaezi, the head of the President's office, as the main reason for Jahangiri's resignation. In recent months, there have been several reports about Jahangiri's resignation, but government officials have denied it. On Sunday, October 13, Jahangiri stated at the 'National Export Day' ceremony: 'Some think we should be looking to dismiss managers who are not risk-takers with a pen in hand; while I have not even found permission to dismiss my secretary so far.' Following these remarks, speculations about Jahangiri's potential resignation arose, and some political activists, including Elias Hazrati, a representative from Tehran, predicted that he would resign. Since the beginning of Hassan Rouhani's second term, media have reported several times on disagreements between Jahangiri and senior cabinet officials like Mahmoud Vaezi and Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, the head of the Planning and Budget Organization. Additionally, some reformist activists, including Ali Shakouri Rad, have expressed concern about the 'usurpation' of the presidential election results by members of the Moderation and Development Party, particularly Mahmoud Vaezi. In this interview, Sufi also stated that Jahangiri's departure from the cabinet 'would definitely be in his favor.' He emphasized: 'Continuing cooperation with the government harms Jahangiri. I do not know if anything of his popularity will remain for the 2021 presidential election.' Eshaq Jahangiri was a candidate in the 2017 presidential election and withdrew in favor of Hassan Rouhani. Some political figures consider him a candidate for the reformists in the upcoming presidential election. Sufi also mentioned that based on 'assessments,' Rouhani's popularity is 'very low' and 'below 10 percent.' He did not specify which institution conducted this assessment or survey. In recent months, following the crisis in Iran's currency and economy, some reformists have severely criticized Rouhani's performance. For instance, Gholamhossein Karbaschi, Secretary-General of the Construction Party, stated in September that Rouhani 'could leave as a hero,' but if he does not see his resignation as in the country's interest, he must 'wake up from this heavy sleep and face the people clearly and transparently.' Recently, Mohammad Khatami, former President of Iran, warned during a meeting with members of the Hope faction in the Islamic Consultative Assembly about the failure to achieve reforms in the Islamic Republic and stated that inviting people to participate in the upcoming elections is becoming difficult. The slogan of protesters during the protests last December, 'Reformist, Principlist, the story is over,' was widely echoed in media and social networks. Hossein Zolfaqari, Deputy Minister of Interior for Security, admitted at that time that the December protests 'crossed all political currents in the country.' Meanwhile, Mehdi Karroubi, a leader of Iran's Green Movement, expressed concern about the 'situation of the people' in a message and urged various reformist factions to 'show that they truly care about the pain of the people and the country.' According to reports from Tasnim News Agency and IRIB, the Iranian government spokesman denied reports about Jahangiri's resignation, while 193 members of parliament called for 'maximum changes' in Rouhani's cabinet. The close circle of Rouhani is facing opposition from the IRGC and the people, and when Jahangiri 'does not even have permission to dismiss his secretary,' the situation raises questions about coordination in Rouhani's office. The severe government crackdown and the danger of protests becoming 'underground' are also concerning.