Le Figaro: Internal plot against Iran’s supreme leader attempted during protests

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly the target of an internal effort to remove him, led by former President Hassan Rouhani, just prior to the crackdown on protests during the night of January 8–9, when demonstrations reached their peak, multiple sources told Le Figaro.

The attempt reportedly failed due to lack of support from Ali Larijani, head of the Supreme National Security Council. Current President Maksud Pezeshkian was reportedly excluded from discussions to prevent leaks.

Meanwhile, tensions between Iran and the United States remain high. U.S. President Donald Trump is “considering strikes” against Iran, while Iranian officials, under domestic pressure, say they are prepared for “a quick agreement” that “interests both parties”—though analysts consider the prospects slim.

Negotiations remain deadlocked over Iran’s nuclear program. Tehran denies seeking nuclear weapons and insists on its right to enrich uranium, while Washington has long demanded “zero enrichment,” viewing Iran’s uranium activities as a potential pathway to nuclear weapons. A second round of talks in Geneva last week between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi failed to bridge the divide.

By Sabina Mammadli