Mohammad-Baqer Kharrazi, a senior cleric and related by marriage to Mojtaba Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, claimed that Masoud Pezeshkian, the president, has so far resigned or threatened to step down 28 times. He also said that Mojtaba Khamenei warned that if this action is repeated, Pezeshkian’s resignation would be accepted. Kharrazi, referring to internal differences within the ruling establishment, said: “The Leader of the Revolution (Mojtaba Khamenei) wrote: ‘Instruct Pezeshkian to resign once again; we will accept his resignation.’” He added that this message was officially communicated to government officials and, as he said, after that, Pezeshkian and other senior officials backed away from raising the issue again. Kharrazi then said: “That’s why they collected all the pieces of their ‘mess,’ pulled the wick down, and didn’t threaten to resign again.” In another part of his remarks, he claimed that Mojtaba Khamenei intends to make changes to the Supreme National Security Council and the negotiating team of the Islamic Republic. According to Kharrazi, “The Leader of the Revolution wants to change the Supreme National Security Council.