The Jerusalem Post reports: “Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that Iran could ‘turn on itself’ if anything happened to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, telling lawmakers in Tehran that national cohesion depends on the leader’s safety during crises, Iran International reported on Tuesday.

Speaking in a parliamentary review of his government’s first year under the Seventh Development Plan, Pezeshkian said the Supreme Leader is ‘the pillar of the country’s tent,’ and cautioned that during the 12-day war with Israel in June, his greatest concern was the potential for internal clashes if Khamenei were targeted.

‘There would be no need for Israel to intervene,’ he said, urging rival factions to avoid polarization and ‘stand firmly behind him.’ 

The president said the turbulence of the June fighting did not shake his confidence in Iran’s defenses, but reiterated that internal discipline, dialogue, and cooperation are essential to prevent political infighting that could surpass any external threat…”