Cracks appear within Rouhani's inner circle as VP 'signals departure'
Speculations are once again rife that Iran's first vice president might be resigning after he complained about lack of authority.
Iran's First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, who is said to be representing the Reformist camp in President Hassan Rouhani's administration, could be one step closer to resignation. The speculation gained momentum after Jahangiri broke his silence about his hands being tied. "To this moment, I haven’t had the power to dismiss my secretary let alone a minister," he said during a ceremony in Tehran Oct. 21.
The comment triggered "a massive quake" in Iran's political scene, raising the question as to what forced Jahangiri to "pour his heart out." According to the Reformist daily Arman, Jahangiri is rarely approached for consultation on important decisions; rather, it is another inner circle surrounding Rouhani that has the say and remains "reluctant to see Jahangiri play a role."