Following Hezbollah Gathering, Karbaschi's Speech Canceled

Following a gathering of Hezbollah forces in Garmsar in response to recent comments made by Gholamhossein Karbaschi, Secretary-General of the Executives of Construction Party of Iran, regarding the Islamic Republic's foreign policy in the region, his speech in the city was not held. Mr. Karbaschi also explained his controversial position by stating that 'no fair person opposes the martyrs.' Local website Garmsar Online reported on Wednesday, April 13, that on Tuesday night, 'a large number of popular and revolutionary forces' did not allow him to speak in Garmsar in reaction to his recent 'insult' to the 'defenders of the shrine.' The former mayor of Tehran was supposed to inaugurate Hassan Rouhani's campaign headquarters in the city at 8 PM and give a speech there. The website noted that most of the 'protesting crowd' consisted of 'youth and teenagers,' who continued their gathering until 2 AM. According to the report, Rouhani's supporters also protested with 'a wide call for their forces to respond to the opposing current.' As reported by the local website, the gathering of Hezbollah forces led Mr. Karbaschi to refrain from attending the inauguration and his speech. The Secretary-General of the Executives of Construction Party recently criticized the Islamic Republic's foreign policy in the region in Isfahan, stating that 'reckless devices' have engaged in wars in Iraq and Syria under the guise of defending the shrine. He added, 'Let us use diplomatic power to solve regional issues,' stating, 'We also want peace to prevail in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, etc., to defend the oppressed, and to strengthen the Shiites there, but can this be achieved only by giving money, buying weapons, and killing?' His remarks led the judiciary of Isfahan province to file a case against him for what was termed 'insulting the martyrs of the defenders of the shrine.' Following this incident, the Secretary-General of the Executives of Construction Party, in another speech in Semnan, stated that 'no fair person opposes the martyrs who provide our security.' According to Fars News Agency, he added during the inauguration of Hassan Rouhani's central headquarters in Semnan that Rouhani's government 'has provided the most support to the armed forces from the army and the IRGC to the Basij and police.' Mr. Karbaschi stated that military and security forces are 'the honor of this country,' adding that the eleventh government 'at least doubled the budgets and credits of this sector [military].' He also opposed linking 'security leaders and prominent military figures with politics,' stating that 'my point was that to help the deprived and the oppressed and to assist Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, alongside material aid, we must have active diplomacy.' Karbaschi termed the criticism from some conservatives regarding 'insulting the defenders of the shrine' as 'an incorrect accusation,' adding, 'Why should we today engage in false issues and their coverage in news agencies and newspapers to falsely undermine the opponent?' In another part of his remarks, he also called for 'preserving Hashemi's legacy,' stating that during his time, 'with the same smile policy, we restrained these countries [Saudi Arabia] and secured our national interests.' One of the conservatives' criticisms of Rouhani's government is the use of the so-called 'smile' policy in foreign diplomacy. They demand a firmer stance from the eleventh government against certain countries, including Saudi Arabia and the USA.