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Ayatollah Yazdi: The Guardian Council Will Not Pay Attention to Public Opinion

Feb 12, 2026 February 12, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Ayatollah Yazdi announced that the Guardian Council will disregard public opinion regarding two bills aimed at increasing presidential powers in Iran. This statement comes amid President Khatami's push for reforms to fulfill his promises to the public, with potential consequences including his resignation or a referendum if the bills are rejected. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between reformist and conservative factions in Iranian politics.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The Guardian Council's refusal to heed public opinion on presidential powers illustrates the ongoing conflict between reformist aspirations and conservative control in Iran.

👥 Key Players

Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi MENTIONED
Member of the Guardian Council
"As a powerful conservative figure, Yazdi influences the council's decisions, which can significantly impact the political landscape in Iran."
President Mohammad Khatami MENTIONED
President of Iran
"Khatami is a reformist leader advocating for increased presidential powers, representing a push for political reform against conservative resistance."
Guardian Council MENTIONED
Powerful body overseeing elections and legislation
"The council has the authority to disqualify candidates and veto legislation, making it a key player in Iranian governance."

📰 What Happened

Ayatollah Yazdi announced that the Guardian Council will not consider public opinion regarding two bills proposed by President Khatami aimed at increasing presidential powers. This refusal highlights the ongoing struggle between reformists and conservatives in Iran.

  • The proposed bills would remove the Guardian Council's authority to disqualify candidates.
  • Khatami has threatened to resign or call for a referendum if the bills are rejected.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This situation underscores the deep divisions within Iranian politics, with reformists seeking greater power and conservatives resisting change.
🌍 Regional: The outcome could influence political stability in Iran, affecting regional dynamics and relations with neighboring countries.
🌐 International: Western nations may view this as a reflection of Iran's internal struggles, impacting diplomatic relations and negotiations.

📚 Background

Iran's political system is characterized by a struggle between reformist and conservative factions, with the Guardian Council playing a crucial role in maintaining conservative dominance.

Iranian political reform Role of the Guardian Council
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
As a statement from a prominent conservative figure, this source may reflect the official stance of the Iranian government and may not represent broader public sentiment.

Ayatollah Yazdi, a powerful member of Iran's Guardian Council, which is under conservative control, stated that the council will not yield to existing pressures regarding two proposed bills from President Khatami aimed at increasing presidential powers. In today's Friday prayer sermon in Tehran, Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi said that the council will not consider public opinion in its evaluations of the bills submitted to the parliament last month. According to one of the two bills submitted by the government, the Guardian Council's authority to disqualify candidates for parliament or presidency would be removed. President Mohammad Khatami has stated that he needs such powers to fulfill promises made to the people, and if the bills are rejected, he may resign from his position or put the matter to a referendum.

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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