Attacks by Principlists and Military on Rouhani's Statements Regarding Relations with the World

In a new wave of attacks on the statements made by Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday, several hardline principlists, Friday prayer leaders, and military officials criticized those seeking to 'beautify America' and 'open the door for America' and McDonald's into Iran. Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, stated on Wednesday, August 28, that 'the overall behavior of the government of Hope and Prudence sent a signal to the world that we are determined to engage constructively, and the world received this signal. Issuing this signal and sign could not be done through language and statements but occurred in the realm of decision, action, and execution. Until this green light was shown to the world, great powers were not willing to sit at the negotiation table.' Meanwhile, the Leader of Iran warned on August 26 that American officials were seeking ways to infiltrate Iran during the nuclear agreement talks in Vienna, but he emphasized, 'We will decisively close this path.' Regarding the nuclear agreement and spreading 'the table for McDonald's', Ahmad Alamolhoda, the Friday prayer leader of Mashhad, stated about the consequences of the nuclear agreement between Iran and the six world powers: 'The result of this agreement should be for us like the acceptance of the Imamate of Imam Reza, not that we come to attract foreigners, nor that we attract Westerners, nor that a bunch of people with their eyes on the Western gate come to beautify America for us, nor that the American McDonald's spreads its table in our country.' According to ISNA, he added, 'The meaning of heroic flexibility is that our original principle of opposing arrogance in this space of agreement, which perhaps has stopped many problems, should be used to develop our opposition to arrogance and pursue it with greater power.' Mohammad Ali Mohammadi Kermani, the temporary Friday prayer leader of Tehran, also referred to the nuclear agreement on Friday, stating, 'But the meaning of the agreement is not that we should think we have reconciled with America; this thought is wrong.' He expressed, 'Americans think that with this agreement they have found a way to enter the country, but they are mistaken.' According to ISNA, the temporary Friday prayer leader of Tehran added, 'The Supreme Leader has said that we have closed the door to American infiltration in Iran and will continue to do so. Accordingly, America also knows that if it wants to renew its political dominance, it must enter through cultural dominance and change the culture of this country. Therefore, America is thinking that of course, this wish will be buried with it, and it wants to enter through the window after being thrown out the door.' Meanwhile, Friday prayer leaders in Ahvaz, Shahrud, Malayer, and several other cities in Iran have emphasized the necessary actions to counter American infiltration following the nuclear agreement. 'American infiltration' is a fundamental threat to the Islamic Republic. One day after the reaction of the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to Rouhani's statements, the Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force also stated on Friday that some, in his words, 'with complete naivety, whether understood or not,' are seeking to 'theorize reconciliation' and 'open the door for America' into Iran. According to Fars News Agency, Amir Ali Hajizadeh emphasized that a military attack by America is 'not a threat' to Iran, but 'the fundamental and major threat' to the Islamic Republic is 'American infiltration.' He added, 'They have not been able to do anything outside the borders for 35 years, but now they are seeking a loophole to enter the country, and this means the beginning of past misfortunes.' The remarks of this IRGC commander were published one day after the reaction of Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of this body, to Hassan Rouhani's statements. Mr. Jafari, on Thursday, without mentioning Rouhani's name, described his statements on Wednesday as 'the beginning of the erosion of the independence and dignity of the Islamic system' and indirectly accused the President of Iran of attempting to 'weaken' the Guardian Council. Hassan Rouhani emphasized in another part of his speech on Wednesday, 'We should not think that after reaching an agreement, we can speak and act as we wish, and others will not react to this change in our behavior.'