Representative of the Supreme Leader in the IRGC: Yazid and Pharaoh also claimed to be reformists

The representative of the Supreme Leader in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Ali Saeedi, referred to the terms "Satan to the village chief" and "compromise to interaction" as an appropriation of the term moderation and a "de-revolutionization" of it, implicitly naming Hassan Rouhani as a cleric who claims Imam Hussein sought "compromise." According to the Tasnim news agency close to the IRGC, Saeedi made these remarks on Wednesday, November 3, at a conference titled "Infiltration and the System of Domination" at Imam Hussein University affiliated with the IRGC, sharply criticizing Hassan Rouhani. He criticized the comparison of the United States to Harb ibn Yazid al-Riyahi, a figure from the Ashura event, stating that it was inappropriate. According to Shia narratives, Harb ibn Yazid al-Riyahi was a leader of the tribes of Kufa who was called to fight against the third Shia Imam but expressed regret during the battle and joined Imam Hussein's forces, ultimately being killed. Saeedi continued, stating: "A cleric goes behind the podium and says Imam Hussein was seeking compromise? I do not understand why the elites and dignitaries do not take a stand against these deviations." His reference was to Hassan Rouhani's statement that "the lesson of Karbala is also a lesson in constructive interaction and negotiation within the framework of logic and standards." These remarks faced sharp criticism from conservatives, with former MP Hamid Rasai stating that "some are trying to justify the non-heroic and compromising softness of the government without referring to the content and nature of Imam Hussein's meetings with some commanders of Yazid's army, exaggerating these meetings on the pulpit." Saeedi also responded to a question he posed regarding the lack of stance from elites against these remarks, attributing it to a failure to recognize the "scene" and "interest." He added: "Some want to have both sides and think about the future. In Islam, some did not know whether power would be in the hands of Ali or Talha and Zubair." This cleric stated that some are trying to portray Ruhollah Khomeini and the third Shia Imam as "reformists," adding: "Yes, Yazid and Pharaoh also claimed to be reformists. The reformist concept in Islam is different from the reformism you speak of." He also stated that the concept of moderation has been "de-revolutionized." The representative of Ali Khamenei in the IRGC further stated that "infiltration can have hundreds of stages," and one of the consequences of this phenomenon is the "de-revolutionization of the revolution," which includes "de-revolutionization of concepts, de-revolutionization of sanctities, de-revolutionization of personalities, and de-revolutionization of institutions." He questioned: "Can moderation be found between what is forbidden and what is permissible? Can moderation be established between God and Satan? Should the Prophet submit to Abu Sufyan or should Abu Sufyan submit to the Prophet? Is this moderation? Can moderation be established between Islam and liberalism?" Saeedi identified the "interpretation of Satan as the village chief" as an appropriation of the term moderation, adding that "Satan is Satan. The interpretation of compromise as interaction is also an appropriation of the term moderation." The representative of the Supreme Leader in the IRGC also criticized a parliamentary representative who, during a vote of confidence for three ministers proposed by Hassan Rouhani for the ministries of culture, sports, and education, stated, "How long will you talk about the sedition?" It seems his reference was to the remarks of Gholamali Jafarzadeh Iman Abadi, a representative from Rasht, who, in support of the proposed education minister's plans, said: "When will the story of sedition end?" Saeedi reacted by saying: "This gentleman, if he had access to the Quran, would have deleted all the words that have been said about sedition. We hear these from a representative, which is surprising." He added: "You say sedition; do you know what sedition is? Have the seditions of Islam been forgotten? Has Ashura been forgotten? What will happen if the parliament and government are devoid of revolutionary spirit?" The ruling clerics and military personnel of the Islamic Republic have been speaking for years about the "death of sedition" regarding the protests of 2009, but they are unwilling to remove this term from their speeches and statements.