Reactions to the Death of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

The coffin of Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjani in the Jamaran Hosseiniyeh in Tehran. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, one of the most significant political figures in Iran over the past few decades, passed away during the establishment of the Islamic Republic, the Iran-Iraq War, and while serving as President, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and Chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council. His death has elicited reactions both inside and outside Iran. Some of these reactions can be followed on this page. A U.S. State Department official told Reuters that Rafsanjani was a "significant figure" in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran, expressing condolences to his family and loved ones. Unnamed officials in Europe and the United States told the Wall Street Journal that Rafsanjani played an important role in rallying support for Hassan Rouhani, which contributed to the nuclear agreement and efforts to improve relations with the West. A senior European official stated that the current timing of Rafsanjani's death is very unfortunate. On the other hand, Maryam Rajavi, a leader of the "People's Mujahedin Organization," described Rafsanjani as one of the pillars of the Islamic Republic, claiming that his absence would lead to the "collapse" of the political-military balance in Iran. Jason Rezaian, an Iranian-American journalist detained in Iran and released following the nuclear agreement, reacted to Rafsanjani's death by stating that in Tehran, his interrogators and other members of the Revolutionary Guards were dancing, as they considered Rafsanjani a rival and a primary threat to themselves. The Prime Minister of Pakistan expressed sorrow over Rafsanjani's death, and the Prime Minister of India had previously posted a similar message on Twitter. Among neighboring countries, the foreign ministers of Turkey and Bahrain also expressed condolences. The Chief Executive of the Afghan government and the Iraqi presidential office also issued condolence messages. Ian Bremmer, a political science researcher and American secretary of the Eurasia Institute, stated that Rafsanjani's "moderation" was limited to the clerical government in Iran, and he was neither a friend of the West nor, more importantly, a friend of the Iranian people. Mark Dubowitz, executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a neoconservative think tank in Washington, criticized the neglect of Rafsanjani's "legacy," stating that there may not be enough space to discuss his campaigns of assassination, murder, nuclear deceit, and corruption. According to Tasnim News Agency, quoting Mohammad Hashemi Rafsanjani, the brother of the deceased Chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council, the funeral for Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjani will be held on Tuesday. Khalid bin Ahmed, the foreign minister of Bahrain, reflected on Rafsanjani's death on Twitter with the words "may his soul rest in peace" in English and "رحمت‌الله" (may God have mercy on him) in Arabic. The Turkish foreign minister also expressed deep sorrow. Hamid Rasai, a former conservative representative in the Iranian parliament who had previously criticized Rafsanjani, posted a message on his Telegram channel shortly after the announcement of Rafsanjani's death. The official news agency of the Islamic Republic reported that the office of Fuad Masum, the President of Iraq, issued a brief condolence message. The President of Venezuela also sent a condolence message.