Iran's President Pezeshkian offers resignation to Supreme Leader Khamenei amid rift with IRGC: Report

In a stunning development poised to send tremors through Tehran's political establishment, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reportedly offered his resignation to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The move, emerging just hours ago, follows intensifying reports of a profound rift between Pezeshkian's administration and the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), signaling a critical inflection point in the nation's fragile power balance. This reported resignation underscores the deep-seated friction inherent in Iran dual power structure, where the elected presidency frequently clashes with the unelected, hardline-dominated institutions like the IRGC. Pezeshkian, who took office in late 2024 following the sudden death of Ebrahim Raisi, was seen as a pragmatist pushing for economic stabilization and perhaps a measured recalibration of foreign policy, directly challenging the IRGC entrenched influence over the economy, security apparatus, and regional proxy networks, especially the Quds Force. The "ongoing war in Iran" referenced in some reports likely points to the IRGC continued heavy involvement in regional conflicts, which may have been a point of contention with Pezeshkian's policies. The ball is now firmly in Ayatollah Ali Khamenei court, who holds the ultimate authority to accept or reject the resignation. His decision will not only determine Pezeshkian's political fate but also signal the Supreme Leader's stance on the burgeoning power struggle, potentially paving the way for further consolidation of hardliner control or an unprecedented effort at internal reconciliation. Observers will be keenly watching for any statements from Khamenei's office or the Expediency Discernment Council, as this move could significantly impact Iran domestic trajectory and its increasingly volatile regional engagements.