News|ProtestsIran rejects ‘fictional narratives’ of power grab after protest killingsFormer President Hassan Rouhani denies reports he wants to replace Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, blames US and Israel.

Tehran, Iran – Iranian authorities have refuted claims regarding a purported power grab by former President Hassan Rouhani amid recent nationwide protests. The allegations were described as "purely fictional narratives" by Iran’s embassy in Paris on Wednesday.

A French media report suggested that Rouhani convened influential clerics, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders, and other figures to seize control. This information has been dismissed by Iranian authorities as likely based on false and speculative accounts.

The report further alleged that Rouhani’s attempt to overthrow Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was unsuccessful after security chief Ali Larijani opted not to support the plan. Larijani has reportedly been granted expanded powers in the event of conflict with the United States, according to recent media reports.

Rouhani and former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif were allegedly placed under arrest following the protests, although this claim was denied by both individuals. To counter these claims, Rouhani appeared publicly alongside former President Mohammad Khatami.

The Iranian embassy in France also dismissed any link between the arrests of prominent reformist leaders earlier this month and the alleged power grab. The embassy stated that the arrests were connected to public declarations made during the January unrest.

Some reformists have been released on bail, but others remain detained due to existing political charges. Former presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, under house arrest since 2009, issued a statement calling for a peaceful transition, leading to further arrests among political activists.

Former Presidents Khatami and Rouhani have advocated for significant reforms, while Iran’s Reformists Front has indicated the need for changes within the theocratic establishment.

The supreme leader characterized the unrest as a "coup" intended to benefit the interests of the US and Israel. Student protests have resumed in Tehran and other major cities as universities reopened following the January demonstrations.

Iranian authorities have also rejected recent foreign media reports. The Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK) claimed responsibility for a significant operation at the supreme leader’s headquarters, which Iran dismissed as unfounded. The MEK alleged that more than 100 of its fighters were involved in a confrontation at a compound in Tehran's Pasteur area.

Senior IRGC commander Gholamreza Sanaei Rad refuted the possibility of such an operation occurring unnoticed in a high-security area. The IRGC-affiliated Mehr news agency suggested that the MEK’s actions were an attempt to gain attention.

In another case, a Western media report suggested potential military action by Turkiye inside Iran. This was denied by Turkiye, which emphasized its commitment to respecting the territorial integrity of neighboring countries.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.