Iran Leadership Rift Deepens as Supreme Leader Demands Halt to Publicizing National Hardships

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei instructed officials on Friday to cease publicizing the nation's problems and instead focus on highlighting the country's power and strength, marking a clear sign of a growing leadership rift in Tehran.

The message from Mr Khamenei, which was published by state media shortly before President Masoud Pezeshkian was scheduled to make a television appearance, appeared to serve as a rebuke to officials who have openly acknowledged recent economic hardships. The government has tried to calm public anxiety after fears of rising fuel prices led to long queues at petrol stations in Tehran. Meanwhile, the US announced new sanctions this week aimed at isolating Iran's fragile economy and compelling concessions in peace talks.

In his written decree, Mr Khamenei—who has remained unseen and unheard in public since his election in March—stated that "committing anything that harms Iran's social cohesion is forbidden." While state television reported that the supreme leader appreciated the worthy actions of the government and the honest and compassionate president, Mr Pezeshkian, he strongly emphasized the necessity of projecting Iran's strength.

"Weakness, defects, and deficiencies do not require narration and highlighting; rather, they require planning and action to resolve and solve the problem," Mr Khamenei said. He added that honestly expressing weaknesses when the enemy needs encouragement aids them and causes concern among friends.

The long queues at petrol stations in Tehran this week represent the latest manifestation of ongoing economic hardship. Public anger over Iran's weak currency and high cost of living previously triggered protests in December and January, which evolved into one of the largest anti-regime revolts since the 1979 revolution. Believing they could further weaken the regime, the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran six months ago on Friday. Although these strikes failed to collapse the regime, they resulted in the deaths of several top leaders and commanders, creating confusion over the true leadership in Tehran.

Mr Pezeshkian, who appears sidelined in security matters by the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has primarily focused on domestic issues amid soaring prices and job losses. The president has offered contradictory accounts regarding his access to Mr Khamenei. This week, Mr Pezeshkian acknowledged difficulties and hardships while maintaining that the government is striving to stabilize the economic situation, even as officials admitted that high fuel volumes are pushing Iran's production capacity to its limits.