In Iran's political system, removing a president requires judicial support and final approval from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
On Sunday, Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf addressed the Majles, stating that lawmakers might be "forced" to begin impeachment procedures against President Masoud Pezeshkian's administration unless the government takes action to control escalating prices.
This warning emerges as Iran faces severe economic and environmental challenges. The national currency continues to lose value, water resources are critically low, air quality has reached dangerous levels, essential goods have become increasingly expensive due to inflation, and public dissatisfaction is widespread across the country.
After acknowledging recent rainfall that helped alleviate drought conditions, Ghalibaf emphasized, "what is more important for us to address today are the concerns and anxieties of the people regarding the runaway rise in the prices of basic livelihood goods, especially the increase in the prices of foreign currency and gold, which constitute either part of the reasons for, or pretexts behind, these price hikes. Therefore, the Majles will pursue this issue seriously."
Ghalibaf explained, "It is self-evident that if these measures do not yield results, then in order to achieve the fastest resolution with the least tension, priority will be given to cabinet reshuffling by the government. And if the government does not carry out the necessary reforms, representatives will be compelled to initiate the impeachment process."
While these threats target the entire cabinet, President Pezeshkian bears ultimate responsibility as head of government. This raises questions about whether Iran can actually impeach its president and what impact such action would have.
Iran's impeachment process differs significantly from systems like that of the United States.
The Majles cannot simply vote to remove a president. Instead, it can question the president, block government legislation, and impeach individual ministers. Persistent parliamentary pressure can effectively paralyze a presidency, rendering the government ineffective until political circumstances necessitate new elections.
In exceptional situations, presidential removal is possible but requires judicial backing and Supreme Leader Khamenei's final approval.
Currently, impeachment discussions regarding the president serve more as warnings than viable political actions. However, recent precedents exist, including parliament's March vote to impeach and remove Economy Minister Abdolnasser Hemmati. Additionally, hardline lawmakers attempted in October to impeach Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi, Roads and Urban Planning Minister Farzaneh Sadegh, Agriculture Minister Ghalibaf Nouri, and Labor Minister Ahmad Maydari.
Ghalibaf's statements are noteworthy not because Pezeshkian faces immediate removal, but because of who is applying pressure and their motivations.
Who Bears Responsibility?
President Masoud Pezeshkian did not create Iran's economic difficulties. He lacks control over foreign policy, nuclear programs, or the diversion of national resources that support groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis, which have strained Iran's finances. He doesn't oversee the Revolutionary Guards' extensive economic activities or determine sanction-evasion strategies that have frequently proven counterproductive.
These decisions rest with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
Iran's president operates within strict limitations. While Pezeshkian advocates reform and moderation, he remains constrained by boundaries established by others. When policies fail, targeting the government becomes politically convenient, whereas criticizing Khamenei for governmental shortcomings remains nearly impossible.
This reflects the Islamic Republic's dual political and military structure.
Impeachment discussions appear to be an effort by the Majles to redirect public frustration from the system itself toward replaceable political figures.
However, this strategy faces skepticism in Iran, where people recognize that genuine decision-making authority resides with Khamenei. Iran has frequently attempted to present "reformists" within government, including the presidency, but the meaning of "reformist" differs significantly inside and outside Iran.
Future Developments
In the immediate future, Pezeshkian will likely reorganize his cabinet, sacrificing ministers to placate parliament and gain time. The Majles will probably continue its rhetoric, with hardliners pushing for impeachment. Throughout this process, Khamenei will monitor developments closely.
Whether Pezeshkian retains his position politically has become secondary. Iran faces deeper systemic issues, and making the president a scapegoat may represent a public effort to assign blame and assume responsibility, yet most Iranians understand the true origins of their challenges.
