Khamenei loyalist accuses Pezeshkian team of advocating 'homosexuality'

A staunch hardliner aligned with Supreme Leader Khamenei launched a scathing critique of President-elect Pezeshkian's cabinet formation team, accusing them of corruption, espionage and "advocating homosexuality."

In an article published on Saturday, the firebrand Hossein Shariatmadari, editor of the flagship hardliner newspaper Kayhan, funded by Ali Khamenei's office, criticized the newly elected Masoud Pezeshkian's Strategic Council for Transition.

Shariatmadari contended that the council, entrusted with identifying and proposing ministerial candidates, comprises individuals ill-suited for their roles. Using harsh language, he blasted them for incompetence and fraud but also for their supposed liberal leanings without offering any concrete evidence.

"Many members of the council and its subcommittees have a history marked by collaboration with enemy intelligence services, security convictions, corruption, and defense of homosexuality," the radical ideologue continued. "Their track records reveal disbelief in the system and the revolution, and they have openly aligned and collaborated with the US, UK, and Israel during riots and uprisings."

While he did not name anyone specifically, most of the hardliners' critiques these days are directed at former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who leads the council.

Shariatmadari accused the council of "open alignment and collaboration with the US, UK, and Israel," engaging in secret meetings with known US adversaries, and complying with directives from then-US Secretary of State John Kerry regarding Yemen.

Most of his criticism implicated Zarif specifically, as Shariatmadari's critique of foreign policy alluded to the 2015 incident when former US Secretary of State John Kerry issued a warning to Iran over its alleged support for Houthi rebels in Yemen.

In 2021, Iran International TV released an audio recording in which Zarif discussed his purportedly close relationship with former US Secretary of State John Kerry. Also, in 2018, John Kerry admitted that he had met with Zarif to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran.

Shariatmadari further criticized Pezeshkian, asserting that although his rhetoric aligns with Khamenei's directives, his actions, particularly the formation of this council, contradict them.

“Given the divergent perspectives of the majority of the steering council members and its subcommittees from the Islamic and revolutionary viewpoints of Mr. Pezeshkian, there is a legitimate concern that the candidates recommended by this council and its subcommittees for ministerial and other critical positions may be fundamentally misaligned with the objectives of the honorable President,” Shariatmadari wrote.

The initial list of 16 members in the council includes prominent 'reformist' figures such as former Government Spokesman Ali Rabiei, Pezeshkian's campaign manager Ali Abdolalizadeh, academics Hadi Khaniki and Mohsen Renani, former Minister of Economy Ali Tayyebnia, former Culture Minister Reza Salehi Amiri, and former lawmakers Ali Tajernia and Ali Shakouri-Rad.

The council is under scrutiny not only from hardliners but also from reformists, as jockeying takes place to obtain ministerial posts. Despite its claims of implementing "reverse discrimination" to include women and religious minorities, the council features few female members.

Every faction appears eager to secure a position in the cabinet and is apprehensive about others gaining dominance, particularly given the significance of the upcoming four years. This period is crucial due to concerns over Khamenei's advanced age and the potential for this administration to act as a transitional government during potentially turbulent times if a new leader assumes power.

On Thursday, Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a prominent reformist politician and senior aide to former President Mohammad Khatami, questioned the cabinet's inclusivity. He pointed out that while hardliners are expected to be included in this cabinet, they do not reciprocate by including reformists when they are in power.

"In Ebrahim Raisi’s government, even those with the slightest association with reformists were excluded from any positions," Abtahi said.

Meanwhile, reformist commentator Abbas Abdi attempted to mirror Pezeshkian's rhetoric of bridging the gaps between various political factions. This approach aligns closely with Khamenei's recent call for unity, emphasizing the need for "one voice to be heard from Iran."

Using a football analogy, a favored sport in Iran, Abdi remarked in Etemaad daily on Saturday: “The political game in Iran is influenced more by the conditions of the playing field than by its direct players, such as the cabinet and ministers. The playing field has been severely damaged. There are numerous disagreements and inefficiencies within the administrative and executive structures in politics.”

It appears that Abdi, consciously or unconsciously, is advocating for changes similar to those proposed by Pezeshkian—changes that are not feasible with the Supreme Leader at the helm. However, Abdi did not explicitly express his stance on Khamenei; instead, he deferred to Pezeshkian, who has so far received Khamenei's support.

In the final analysis, it is difficult to determine whether Shariatmadari's provocative statements are his own or if they reflect directives from the Supreme Leader's office.