Iran Update, July 18, 2024
July 18, 2024 - ISW Press![](https://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumb-wide/public/Israel-Hamas%20War%20Graphic_653.jpg?itok=x9nt8GlN)
Members of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s inner circle told Western Media that Khamenei sought to promote the candidacy of Masoud Pezeshkian due to Pezeshkian’s ability to “foster unity.” The Western media report is inconsistent with the regime’s previous stances vis-a-vis Pezeshkian throughout the election campaign period. Khamenei’s statements and IRGC meetings suggest that Pezeshkian’s rise to the presidency was unplanned.