Hossein Ronaghi Responds to Government Elections on July 15: 'The Second 'No' Was Much Louder'

Political activist Hossein Ronaghi wrote in a post on X on the evening of July 15: 'The second 'no' was much louder; it doesn't matter which of you comes to power, the social awareness of the Iranian people has made history.' He also added: 'From now on, there is no way for you, the arrogant minority who consider themselves rightful owners of wealth and the country and the decisions of the rest of the people, except to submit to the demands of the majority who said no.' This former political prisoner noted: It is clear that active engagement, rather than mere reaction to the demands of the powerful and the media, has become the behavioral pattern of these people. Those who, with childish tricks that insult the intelligence and understanding of the people and have been used for years, like the 'Lulu-making' project against the rival, have again entered the field and shouted for freedom, have become completely discredited among the general public. Hossein Ronaghi emphasized that 'this valuable activism of the Iranian nation, in a broad, united, and powerful form, with the most peaceful means possible, promises us good and bright days.' He stated: 'The brave and wounded people of Iran have spontaneously built hope from the ashes of all despair, which cannot be concealed by any vote engineering or manipulation.' He also wrote: 'These progressive people are the guiding light for all of us. The power of unity of this long-oppressed and marginalized population, which has been treated like weak individuals in the most contemptible ways, has not been subdued, and they have revealed all the cards in the hands of the deceptive current, especially the reformists, and have not been intimidated by fear-mongering, lies, and statistical manipulation, astonishing the world.' The second round of government voting to elect a successor to Ebrahim Raisi was held on Friday, July 15. Despite the efforts of government media to 'show presence,' evidence and reports indicate a lack of widespread public participation in the voting. The absence of citizens at polling stations in Chabahar, the absence of citizens at polling stations in Saravan, renewed protests by opponents of government voting in front of the Islamic Republic consulate in London, the atmosphere in Canada, a country that has not allowed voting for the Islamic Republic, the emptiness of the government polling station in Nasim Shahr; 'not even one person goes every ten minutes,' protests by Iranians abroad coinciding with the second round of voting to determine the successor to Raisi, internet disruptions, and empty polling stations in the second round of government voting for Raisi's succession.