Ex-Iranian president denies attempt to oust Khamenei during January unrest

The office of former Iranian president Hassan Rouhani has strongly denied a report by French newspaper Le Figaro, which claimed that Rouhani attempted to sideline the Supreme Leader during the January protests.

In a statement, Rouhani’s office labelled the report as “false, fabricated and part of a psychological operation by American and Israeli sources, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

Earlier, several sources consulted by Le Figaro indicated that Ali Khamenei had been the target of an internal move within the system, orchestrated by former President Hassan Rouhani, aimed at sidelining him just before the crackdown on the night of January 8–9, at the height of the protests.

While Donald Trump is “considering strikes” against Iran, the regime, still under pressure from the streets, says it is ready for a “rapid agreement” that “serves the interests of both parties,” although the prospects of reaching one appear slim.

The deadlock remains centred on Iran’s demands to be allowed to maintain its nuclear programme, a week after a second round of talks in Geneva between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

By Aghakazim Guliyev