Ghadiani: Reformists Should Not Compromise Further with Khamenei

Abolfazl Ghadiani, a senior member of the Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization, referred to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the "today's dictator of Iran" and urged figures within the reformist movement in Iran not to "compromise" any further on "the rights of the people" with the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. According to the website Khabar Online, close to Mir Hossein Mousavi, Ghadiani praised Mehdi Karroubi for openly stating in his recent letter that Ayatollah Khamenei is the "main responsible" for the problems and hardships of the past 30 years. In an open letter, he wrote that Karroubi's "courageous" letter, referring to parts of Khamenei's thirty years of rule, has unveiled the tricks used to consolidate all power while simultaneously posing as an opposition figure demanding accountability from everyone. Ghadiani added that, however, in Karroubi's letter, the "root and origin of these disasters and corruption," which he believes is the "absolute velayat-e faqih" theory, has been "overlooked." This political activist further questioned how a theory that fundamentally assumes people are minors and immature can grant them the right to decide their own fate and comply with the requirements of a republic. He stated that this theory has not found significant support even among religious seminaries, and almost all scholars and authorities have opposed it since its inception. Ghadiani criticized the introduction of this "abandoned theory" as the "solution to all the country's problems" and handing over "the fate of forty years of this land to the hands of the Supreme Leader," asserting that this theory has "failed in practical tests for years." He added that despite this "failure," the Supreme Leader, by the nature of absolute power, has turned to further monopolizing power and wealth and silencing critics and opponents. Ghadiani wrote that during Khamenei's "rule," the oppression of the people's rights has only increased, the plundering enterprises have grown stronger, and the repressive organizations have cast their heavy shadow over every neighborhood while their propaganda horns have intensified in spreading superstitions and lies. He pointed to the unprecedented dominance of "oppression and corruption" following this religious government in Iran, noting the widespread "anti-religion and religious aversion" among the youth and the loss of credibility of religion as a result of this religious tyranny in Iran. This political activist introduced the velayat-e faqih as a "deadly poison for Iran and the faith of its people" and stated that the time for criticizing this theory "with clarity and honesty and loudly, not in secrecy and through gestures" has arrived. Ghadiani noted that this theory is "in clear contradiction" with the third and fifth chapters of the Constitution, which explicitly state the rights of the people, and added that the "opportunity today to shout this deadly reality - that the tyranny supported by velayat-e faqih is increasingly insatiable in seizing all power and devouring all the wealth of this country - should not be postponed to tomorrow." In another part of his letter, he described "reformism intimidated by tyranny" as "sustaining it" and "not reforming its behavior," stating that "the way to salvation for this country is indeed step-by-step reforms, meaning gradually pushing back the tyrant." However, Ghadiani added, "But someone takes a step forward only if they first stand firm. A true reform seeker does not shy away from standing firm because they know that tyranny will not yield to reform unless it sees the steadfast wall of the people leading the political forces ahead." He deemed the "salvation" of the reformists and the "good of the country" to be that "its politicians do not compromise any further with the tyranny of velayat-e faqih over the rights of the people." Ghadiani urged the reformist movement to open the door for a clear critique of the record of the tyrant. His reference is to the open letter of Mehdi Karroubi, one of the leaders of the protests against the results of the 2009 presidential election, who held Khamenei responsible for the current political, economic, cultural, and social situation in Iran. In this letter, Karroubi wrote to Khamenei that "given your level of presence and influence in the highest layers of the power structure, you must accept that the current political, economic, cultural, and social situation in the country is a direct result of your strategic and executive policies." He added that "for three decades, you [Khamenei] have been at the head of the system and still speak from the position of an opposition. During these three decades, you sidelined a significant portion of the original forces of the revolution to implement your desired policies, and today you are facing the results of those same policies." In another part of his letter, written while under house arrest, Karroubi criticized the Supreme Leader for turning the Assembly of Experts into a mere subsidiary of the leadership office, whose only annual duty is to praise him. Prior to Karroubi's letter, Ghadiani had also stated in a statement that the Supreme Leader and what he called the "corruption and inefficiency of the velayat-e faqih system" were responsible for the protests in January. Ghadiani also criticized the reformists and their approach to the recent protests, accusing them of capitulation and complacency. Several reformist figures, including the Supreme Leader and Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, attributed the January protests in over 100 cities, which left at least 25 dead in the streets, to "enemies."