Khamenei’s Delayed Government Meeting Exposes Regime Strains

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei convened Iran’s cabinet eight days behind schedule, highlighting security concerns and growing political isolation within the clerical establishment. A Lebanese scholar’s public praise of Khamenei as the “pillar of the Islamic Ummah” underscored Tehran’s effort to reinforce his authority amid economic turmoil and looming sanction snapbacks.

In a departure from tradition, Khamenei postponed the annual “Government Week” meeting-ordinarily held on August 30-until September 7, citing unspecified security considerations. The eight-day delay reflects both the regime’s fear of domestic unrest and Khamenei’s reclusive posture.

At the session, Khamenei instructed President Masoud Pezeshkian’s cabinet to prioritize stabilizing staple food prices and bolster energy infrastructure, while reiterating calls for tighter market discipline. His guidance comes as Iran prepares for the reimposition of UN sanctions on September 27 unless ongoing negotiations avert the snapback mechanism.

Meanwhile, on September 9, Taghrib News Agency reported Lebanese academic Hanina declaring that under Khamenei’s “wise and divine leadership,” Iran has become the “cornerstone of the Islamic Ummah,” a statement aimed at projecting unity and strength in the face of external pressures.

Tehran’s leadership is navigating a precarious juncture: economic collapse, renewed U.S. and EU sanctions, and persistent public discontent. By amplifying loyalty narratives and delaying high-profile engagements, Khamenei seeks to project control even as the regime grapples with deepening crises at home and abroad.