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Le Figaro: Failed Attempt to Remove Khamenei Before Protest Crackdown

Published February 23, 2026, 17:11
Le Figaro: Failed Attempt to Remove Khamenei Before Protest Crackdown

According to a report in the French newspaper Le Figaro, an internal attempt to remove Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, failed shortly before the bloody crackdown on protests in January. Former President Hassan Rouhani allegedly played a leading role in the effort, attempting to remove Khamenei from managing the crisis. Rouhani reportedly organized a meeting with close associates, including former Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, religious leaders, and officials linked to the Revolutionary Guards. However, the move failed due to the lack of support from Ali Larijani, head of the Supreme National Security Council. Following the failure of the attempt, house arrests and arrests of reformist figures followed, while the crackdown on protests was taken over by the regime's hardline mechanisms. The crackdown was severe, with tens of thousands of deaths, a fact acknowledged by Tehran. The Le Figaro report states that these internal processes are taking place in a fragile situation, as Tehran faces social pressure and critical negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program. The US insists on abandoning enriched uranium reserves, while Tehran insists on its right to peaceful enrichment.