Khamenei's Representative in the IRGC: Hashemi's Remarks Against the Guardian Council Were Promotional

Abdollah Hajizadeh, the deputy representative of the Supreme Leader in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has described Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's criticisms of the Guardian Council's performance as 'promotional' and added that the U.S. and 'the sycophants of imperialism' consider the next Assembly of Experts to be a 'leader-making' body. The website 'Entekhab' reported on Thursday, February 4, the remarks made by Hajizadeh at the 'Chahar Mardan' mosque in Qom. He had previously labeled Hashemi's protests against the Guardian Council's disqualification of Hassan Khomeini as 'histrionics' and stated that 'these comments are promotional; they are worried about whether they will be elected or not, spending from the Imam's household.' On February 1, Hashemi Rafsanjani, at a special ceremony marking the return of Ruhollah Khomeini to Iran, stated that the Guardian Council should apologize for disqualifying Hassan Khomeini and questioned the members of this council, 'Where did you get your qualifications? Who gave you permission to take control of the parliament, government, and other authorities?' Following these remarks, Hajizadeh accused the head of the Expediency Discernment Council of having a 'mission' to 'destroy the line, school, and thought' of Ruhollah Khomeini 'while maintaining appearances.' The deputy representative of the Supreme Leader in the IRGC introduced Ali Khamenei as the 'most loyal' person to Ruhollah Khomeini and referred to individuals like Hashemi as those who want to 'create a leadership' but cannot, hence they become angry. He stated that Americans believe 'this period of the Assembly of Experts is for creating a leader' and that 'the sycophants of imperialism' think they need to 'get things right in the Assembly of Experts.' Hajizadeh warned all officials in the country 'from top to bottom' to understand that 'this revolution has only one driver and leader; the revolution has only one commander; you are not policymakers, but you must implement the leadership's policies, not engage in policymaking.' He also mentioned that those who should enter the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Assembly of Experts must have 'absolute obedience to the leadership.' In part of his remarks, Hajizadeh announced the preparation of a '500-page, 9-volume encyclopedia of the 2009 sedition,' but did not mention which organization produced this collection. The registration of Hassan Khomeini to participate in the Assembly of Experts elections, his disqualification by the Guardian Council, and Hashemi's protest against this action have once again led to explicit criticisms from hardline conservatives against the head of the Expediency Discernment Council. Previously, Mohammad Reza Toiserkani, the representative of Ali Khamenei in the Basij Organization, had openly warned Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Hassan Khomeini to be careful that they do not face the same fate that befell Hossein Ali Montazeri. In this context, the increase in attacks by conservatives against Hashemi Rafsanjani and Hassan Khomeini has been noted.