Mohammad Khatami: The Votes of Mousavi and Karroubi Indicate Acceptance of the System and Elections

Mohammad Khatami, the former president of Iran, stated on Tuesday, March 9, that no one should think of 'revenge' after the results of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Assembly of Experts elections, emphasizing that 'the space for participation should be open to all and constraints and limitations should be lifted.' This is Khatami's first official comment following the announcement of the results of the fifth Assembly of Experts and the tenth Islamic Consultative Assembly elections, where he played a significant role in encouraging widespread voter participation, contributing to the victory of reformists and supporters of President Hassan Rouhani. In the Islamic Consultative Assembly elections, none of the conservative candidates won in Tehran, and in the Assembly of Experts elections, the list supported by Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the head of the Expediency Discernment Council, won, which did not include Mohammad Yazdi, the current head of the Assembly of Experts, and Mohammad Taqi Misbah Yazdi, the spiritual father of the Steadfast Front, who were unable to enter this Assembly. According to Khatami's official website, the former president evaluated the results of these two elections with his advisors and called for 'no one to think of revenge.' In these elections, Mr. Karroubi, Mr. Mousavi, and Ms. Rahnavard also voluntarily participated, which means they declared their acceptance of this system, the elections, and its organizers. The participation of these three individuals was very effective in encouraging people to go to the polls, Khatami stated. He noted that 'after the 2009 elections, we have now entered a new phase,' saying, 'Compared to the issues that arose in the 2009 elections, now all society and political groups feel a relative satisfaction with the election results, although this satisfaction is not complete. Now hope and reconciliation have enveloped the atmosphere of society... This is a significant achievement and victory that is primarily in favor of the system and leadership.' The former president emphasized, 'In the recent elections, we were able to show that we are inside the system and with the system, and we have no opposition or enmity with anyone or any movement, although we are unhappy with the enmities directed at individuals.' Khatami, who has been banned from appearing in media by the judiciary, referred to Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, leaders of the 2009 protests, as individuals who, despite the injuries they sustained over the years, 'did not become estranged from the system and participated in the recent elections.' He stated, 'In this election, Mr. Karroubi, Mr. Mousavi, and Ms. Rahnavard also voluntarily participated, which means they declared their acceptance of this system, the elections, and its organizers. The participation of these three individuals was very effective in encouraging people to go to the polls.' According to the websites 'Kalemeh' and 'Saham News,' Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard, who are under house arrest, were able to participate in the elections on March 7, but Mehdi Karroubi could not vote due to the late arrival of the ballot box. Khatami further stated that 'no one should feel that they have lost in this election. The elections were held by the people and showed which approach they prefer. The dignity and rights of the people must be respected and preserved.' The former president described 'the current security of Iran in a tumultuous region' as 'a divine blessing,' for which, he said, 'we must thank the Supreme Leader, the government, and the military and security forces,' adding, 'I believe that the high and intelligent participation of the people in the recent elections helps strengthen the existing security and stability of the country and also the realization of post-JCPOA promises.' He urged Hassan Rouhani's government to pursue 'the realization of other promises and slogans' now that a significant portion of the sanctions has been lifted and will be lifted, stating, 'The current security atmosphere and space within the country is not worthy of the Iranian people. We all must strive to ensure that the dignity of the system is not harmed and that the space for participation is open to all and that constraints and limitations are lifted.' In this context, agents prevented Khatami from attending the wedding of Mir Hossein Mousavi's daughter. Bahonar: The polarization of the elections was detrimental to conservatives. Rouhani: Regarding Khatami, even if there was a resolution, it was illegal. Praise for Khatami from Hassan Rouhani and Aref. Ejei: Khatami's media ban is based on a resolution of the National Security Council. Rafsanjani: The people did not allow the incorrect methods of the past to continue.