Ahmadinejad: Attacks on the Ninth and Tenth Governments Have Come from Six Directions

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former president of Iran, accused critics of his two administrations of having "incorrect motivations" and stated that "everyone is attacking with whatever they have; one throws stones, another kicks, one strikes with a sword, and another with a spear; in fact, they have attacked from six directions." Ahmadinejad, speaking at the opening of the "National Conference on the Foundations and Ideals of the Islamic Revolution and Imam" on Thursday, August 8, said that the "main reason for the attacks and pressures" on the ninth and tenth governments is the "steadfastness on the principles of the revolution and not backing down from ideals." According to the 'Mehr Mardom' website, close to Ahmadinejad, he quoted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in his last meeting with the tenth government, saying that the Iranian leader also considered "reviving the values of the revolution and taking the lead in them" and "serving the people" as reasons for criticism of the ninth and tenth governments. Ahmadinejad stated: "It is clear that many are driven by the enemy, and some enter with various motivations and excuses, but we must not forget that our enemy is America." The former president added: "We do not believe we were perfect and that we were able to preserve the ideals one hundred percent, but it was a green leaf, a gift from a dervish, and we stood firm on the ideals with all our might." Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was president of Iran from 2005 to 2013, has always been the target of the harshest attacks due to the programs, statements, and domestic and foreign policies of the ninth and tenth governments. He has been accused of squandering Iran's oil revenues, pursuing an ambitious nuclear program that led to multiple UN sanctions and economic penalties from the US and Europe, intensifying domestic repression, and widespread corruption. However, Ahmadinejad also enjoyed strong support from the Supreme Leader and many conservatives until the end of his presidency, to the extent that Khamenei strongly defended the government's rhetoric and behavior, especially in foreign policy, in their last meeting. In his remarks on Thursday, Ahmadinejad claimed "hostility and animosity" from what he called the "dominant system and international Zionism" and said: "Every time we open the imperialist networks and see they are cursing us, we thank God; they think we are upset by this while we are grateful to God for their enmity." He added: "Today we see what oppression exists in the world. Nevertheless, the future is very bright, and victory is waiting for us." The former president of Iran stated that he has presented a program for "revisiting and clarifying the ideals of the Imam and the Islamic Revolution" to the Supreme Leader, and Ayatollah Khamenei "provided guidance and directives," resulting in a mandate for him from this review.