Rafsanjani Defends Rouhani's Government and Warns 'Extremists' About Elections

The head of Iran's Expediency Council, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, referred to opponents of the nuclear agreement as "radicals against national interests and the people" and predicted that "the people will give a great lesson to the extremists with a turnout similar to the 2013 elections." In a meeting with the secretaries and heads of the Islamic Association of University Instructors on Thursday, September 17, he responded to their "complaints" about the performance of some ministers in Hassan Rouhani's government, stating that the government's performance, given the "political obstacles and excuses from opponents, is acceptable, and resolving the nuclear issue is one of the best actions." Rafsanjani considered the Vienna nuclear agreement as the "main and heavy test for the political opponents of the government" and labeled those opposing the agreement in Iran as "radicals against national interests and the people." He added, "If they want to continue their supportive and opposing views until the elections in March, the people will understand and will give a great lesson to the extremists with a turnout similar to the 2013 elections." Rafsanjani had previously stated that the group known as the "Delvapasan" in Iran has become "aligned" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Since the beginning of nuclear negotiations under Hassan Rouhani's administration, some members of the Stability Front in parliament and some appointees of the Supreme Leader have opposed these negotiations, referred to in Iranian media as Delvapasan. Meanwhile, some officials in Rouhani's government, including Akbar Turkan, a senior advisor to the Iranian president, have accused this group of "profiting from sanctions." Nonetheless, the Supreme Leader had previously asked the Iranian negotiating team to invite prominent opponents of the Lausanne agreement to hear their views. The Supreme Leader also stated that he is "neither in favor nor against" the Lausanne agreement. Ayatollah Khamenei had previously urged the government and its supporters not to insult those who express "concerns and worries" and added that "humiliating opponents by officials is against wisdom and strategy." In recent days, criticisms from Saeed Jalili, the former head of Iran's negotiating team, regarding the Vienna nuclear agreement prompted reactions from Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Ali Akbar Velayati, head of the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Council, and Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization. Rafsanjani's comments about the upcoming parliamentary elections come at a time when some conservative figures, including Mohammad Reza Bahonar, the deputy speaker of parliament, have emphasized that the "outcome of the nuclear negotiations" could significantly impact the parliamentary elections. Meanwhile, some conservative representatives in parliament have expressed concern about the impact of nuclear negotiations on the tenth parliamentary elections while stating that the outcome of these negotiations will not affect the results of the upcoming parliamentary elections. For instance, Gholamali Haddad Adel, head of the conservative faction in parliament, stated on November 30, 2014, "We representatives... clearly tell the Americans: Do not think you can interfere in the upcoming parliamentary elections through threats and extensions regarding the negotiations and create an impact in your favor." Meanwhile, the Supreme Leader warned on Wednesday, September 16, about what he called the efforts of "foreigners" to "infiltrate decision-making and policymaking centers" of the Islamic Republic. In recent months, some reformist figures have announced plans to participate in the tenth parliamentary elections in Iran. In this context, Rafsanjani also stated in his remarks on Thursday that "many reputable, educated, and experienced figures" are ready to participate in the elections. He advised all political factions to avoid statements that would discourage people from participating in the elections. Rafsanjani also referred to his participation in the 2013 presidential elections, stating that Heydar Moslehi, the Minister of Intelligence in Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government, had said in a "formal" meeting of the Guardian Council that according to polls, his vote had reached 70 percent and "if not controlled, it might reach 90 percent, which would unravel all our threads." Previously, Rafsanjani's close associates had stated that his disqualification in the 2013 presidential elections occurred after Moslehi's comments about his high potential vote and the repetition of events following the 2009 presidential elections. However, members of the Guardian Council have denied this accusation.