The Pak Global Pakistan:
Tehran, Iran – Iranian authorities have strongly rejected claims that former President Hassan Rouhani attempted to seize power during last month’s widespread protests, dismissing the accusations as “purely fictional narratives.” The Iranian embassy in Paris condemned a French media report that alleged Rouhani convened influential clerics, IRGC commanders, and former officials like Mohammad Javad Zarif to orchestrate a takeover.
The embassy described the report as part of an “organized campaign” spreading false information aimed at tarnishing Iran’s image, stating it “holds no real value or credibility.” According to the French report, Rouhani’s alleged plot to overthrow Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was thwarted after Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, declined to support it. Larijani has reportedly been granted expanded powers in the event of a war with the United States.
The report also claimed that Rouhani and Zarif were arrested following the deadly crackdown on protesters in early January, but both former officials denied these assertions. Rouhani even released photos from a public event alongside former President Mohammad Khatami to prove he was not detained.
On Tuesday, Rouhani’s office described the power grab rumors as a continuation of psychological operations by American and Israeli sources aimed at sowing doubt and fear among Iranians to facilitate increased economic sanctions and military pressure.
The denials come amid ongoing unrest and geopolitical tensions surrounding Iran’s political landscape.