Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has firmly denied French media allegations that he attempted to sideline Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during peak unrest in January. A report by Le Figaro claimed Rouhani coordinated with reformist figures and senior officials in a clandestine effort to alter Iran’s leadership structure amid nationwide protests. Rouhani’s office dismissed the claims as fabricated psychological warfare attributed to foreign intelligence operations. The controversy emerges during heightened regional tensions, renewed protests, and mounting U.S. and Israeli pressure on Tehran. Reports also highlight Ayatollah Khamenei’s alleged wartime contingency planning, including positioning trusted figures such as Ali Larijani in key coordination roles.
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