Iranians voice mistrust as criticism of Pezeshkian’s cabinet mounts

Growing criticism of Masoud Pezeshkian’s cabinet selections has sparked a wave of public distrust in the Islamic Republic’s political process, with citizens accusing officials of deceiving the electorate.

The backlash follows remarks from Iranian lawmaker Qasem Osmani, who acknowledged during Saturday’s parliamentary session, which marked the first day of cabinet approval debates, that people feel betrayed by the election results.

Osmani, a Pezeshkian supporter, directly criticized Pezeshkian during the session, accusing him of abandoning the electorate after the elections. "People say you deceived us in the elections," Osmani said. "You spoke about our pains, we thought you sympathized, but after the elections, you forgot all our pains."

Iran International asked its audience for their thoughts on Osmani’s statement. The responses reveal widespread frustration, with citizens viewing the entire political system as fundamentally deceptive.

One citizen responded with a voice message, stating, "The Islamic Republic regime is founded on corruption, and the corrupt are running it."

Another citizen stated, "Anyone who has voted in any election in the Islamic Republic has been deceived."

A third citizen traced the roots of this deception to the early days of the Islamic Republic, stating, “Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, began deceiving the people in 1979,” a pattern that, they believe, persists to this day.

A fourth citizen expressed even deeper disillusionment, arguing that the Islamic Republic’s deceit extends beyond just elections. "To say they’ve been deceived is an understatement; it’s much worse than that," he remarked.

"The Islamic Republic is committed to nothing but fulfilling its own desires, which have always been in direct opposition to the will of the people."

Pezeshkian, who was supported by the 'reformist' wing of Islamic politicians, promised voters that his government will be composed of experts and that he would address some of the electorate's main grievances. But when he announced his cabinet, people realized it was stacked with the same former officials and IRGC generals.

The parliamentary debates over Pezeshkian's cabinet nominees are set to continue through Wednesday, August 21.

As the debates unfold, the widening divide between the state and the people highlights the escalating tension, raising critical questions about the future direction of the Islamic Republic. Pezeshkian’s leadership, shaped by the directive of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and emerging from a heavily boycotted election, faces increased scrutiny amid ongoing anti-regime sentiment.