Hashemi Rafsanjani: Hassan Rouhani's Government Has a Weak Media Team

The head of Iran's Expediency Council criticized the lack of communication between Hassan Rouhani's government and its supporters, stating that the eleventh government has a "weak" media team and its efforts are not adequately reflected. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, in an interview with the Tuesday, November 15 issue of the 'Arman' newspaper, also equated the 'nature' of the two major American parties, the Democrats and Republicans, while describing Donald Trump, the elected President of the United States, as a "dangerous figure who is not committed to principles." He criticized the performance of the government's media team, stating, "Many friends have spoken to the president about rectifying this deficiency." According to Hashemi Rafsanjani, Rouhani has requested his office to appoint a media team that "can work," but his office "does not have the capacity for this task." He emphasized that "Mr. Rouhani should have a comprehensive and scholarly media team that constantly fills gaps wherever they see political infiltration and sabotage occurring." The head of the Expediency Council also mentioned that Rouhani's government does not communicate with those who contributed to his administration's rise, and many individuals in "various provinces have worked hard but are now disheartened." He called for Rouhani to meet with his supporters during his provincial trips or to invite them to Tehran for discussions. Previously, many supporters of Rouhani's government had criticized the "weak media team" and stated that individuals active in public relations and other information sectors of the government are close to Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the mayor of Tehran and Rouhani's rival in the 2013 presidential election. Proposals have been made to appoint figures such as Parviz Ismaili, the deputy for information at the president's office and former managing director of the Mehr news agency, as well as Mohammad Taghi Rughniha, the head of the Iran newspaper, as close associates of Qalibaf. Hossein Entezami, the deputy for press at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, is also mentioned as a close figure to Ali Larijani, the speaker of parliament. In the interview, Hashemi Rafsanjani also stated that the condition of "political man" mentioned for the presidency in the constitution "can include women as well." He said, "When we were preparing the constitution in the Revolutionary Council, we left this ambiguous for this reason. Because the conditions did not require a woman to be president, and we did not want to deny it." Rafsanjani also referred to Hillary Clinton's candidacy in the U.S. presidential election and Theresa May's premiership in the UK, mentioning Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, and stated that she "has global responsibilities and is doing very well." The condition of "political man" mentioned for the presidency in the constitution "can include women as well." The Guardian Council has recently invited experts and the public to express their views on the "political-religious man" condition, which is among the requirements for the presidency in Iran. Some political figures in Iran have previously stated that women can also be considered "political men" and can run for the presidency. However, the Guardian Council has not approved any woman for candidacy in presidential elections in nearly four decades. Rafsanjani emphasized that "Trump is a dangerous figure who is not committed to principles," reiterating that the "nature" of both U.S. parties regarding Iran is the same. In recent days, Iranian officials have expressed differing views on Trump's victory. Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, stated on November 10 that "we do not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries," while emphasizing that "the future president of the United States is obliged to adhere to the multilateral commitments of the JCPOA." However, Hossein Shariatmadari, the representative of the Supreme Leader in the Kayhan newspaper, expressed hope that Trump would "tear up" the nuclear agreement with Iran. On the same day, Ali Larijani, the speaker of Iran's parliament, called for "caution against hasty comments" regarding the elected U.S. president. Regarding the duration of leadership in the Islamic Republic, Rafsanjani stated that Ayatollah Khamenei supports a fixed term for the leadership position, but the constitution ultimately does not specify a time limit for leadership, and changing it would require amending the constitution. He remarked that Cyrus was "truly a capable manager for the entire region" and mentioned a discussion between Allameh Tabatabai and Abul Kalam Azad, stating that their view is that Cyrus is the same Dhul-Qarnayn mentioned in the Quran. Rafsanjani also commented on the gathering on Cyrus Day, stating, "What is wrong with nationalism and patriotism? What is wrong with our people gathering for our ancestors and personalities?" He added, "We have no problem. They exaggerate these matters without reason, and some oppose us without justification." He reiterated that Cyrus was "truly a capable manager for the entire region" and noted the discussion between Allameh Tabatabai and Abul Kalam Azad regarding Cyrus being the Dhul-Qarnayn mentioned in the Quran. In Iran, November 28 has unofficially been designated as "Cyrus Day," and for several years, groups of people from across the country have gathered in Pasargadae on this day. Reports indicate that this year's gathering in Pasargadae attracted several thousand participants, with some attendees chanting slogans such as "Happy Birthday, Prince" and also slogans against the Islamic Republic. Several participants at this event have been arrested, and security police have begun efforts to identify other attendees. Rafsanjani also announced that the case of his son Mehdi is under review by the Supreme Court, and its examination has not yet been completed. He mentioned that Mehdi Hashemi, while in solitary confinement, was transferred to the hospital due to heart pain under the orders of the Supreme Leader, and subsequently, he had been taken to the hospital several times while in the general ward of Evin Prison. On October 26, some news websites reported that Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani had informed some journalists about the acceptance of the retrial request for Mehdi Hashemi's case by the Supreme Court and its review in another court. However, the following day, Abbas Jafari Dolat Abadi, the Tehran prosecutor, dismissed these reports as "false" and stated that Mehdi Hashemi had submitted a request for retrial to the Supreme Court, but it has "not yet been accepted."