Rouhani: We Should Not Fear Those Who Unjustly Hold Loudspeakers

Continuing the verbal tension between Hassan Rouhani's government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and some close associates of the Supreme Leader, President Hassan Rouhani stated on Tuesday that "we should not be afraid of a small group that unfortunately unjustly holds the loudspeakers." According to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), Mr. Rouhani made this statement on Tuesday, July 9, at the Health Development Festival held in the Summit Hall. The Iranian president expressed that "the insults and abuses from a few are due to fruitful efforts for the country." Rouhani emphasized that "our ultimate goal is the country, the Iranian nation, national interests, and the Islamic Republic of Iran," and stressed: "We should not be afraid of a small group that unfortunately unjustly holds the loudspeakers; because we are a great and self-sacrificing nation and we have been able not only to stand on our own feet against problems but also to help the nations of the region." These remarks by Rouhani come as his insistence on certain issues criticized by the Supreme Leader's close associates has led some supporters of Ayatollah Khamenei to warn that if the current trend continues, Rouhani may face a fate similar to that of Abolhassan Banisadr. Abolhassan Banisadr, the first president of the Islamic Republic, was dismissed by the then Supreme Leader and forced to leave the country. Recently, Rouhani and his government have faced tensions with the IRGC over criticism of the IRGC's interference in economic matters, and Rouhani's insistence on other controversial issues such as UNESCO cultural matters and the historical origins of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist has also sparked disputes. In recent days, Rouhani's Oil Ministry has come under attack from the IRGC and groups of conservatives for signing a 20-year gas development contract with the French company Total, which they deem "colonial." Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, Rouhani's Oil Minister, his deputy, and other government officials have responded to the critics regarding the Total contract, with Zanganeh even advising that officials should set aside the black-and-white thinking of "friends and enemies" in foreign relations and consider Iran's national interests. Eshaq Jahangiri, Rouhani's first vice president, has also recently emphasized to protesters against the government that "we must accept the people's vote" and stressed that "the government will not deviate from its path." Rouhani also reiterated at the Health Development Festival on Tuesday: "Whatever they want to say, the people should not pay attention to some inaccurate words; because today the country's situation is better than yesterday, and tomorrow will be better than today." Rouhani: The government builds the missiles. According to ISNA, Rouhani also referred to the recent missile attack by Iranian military forces on some ISIS bases in Syria, stating: "We hear that a missile has launched from our soil targeting a terrorist center; those who launched this missile have made efforts and sacrifices, but the government and the Ministry of Defense are the builders of the missiles, and the economic sector of the country also funds them." Recently, Iran's missile attack on ISIS positions in Deir ez-Zor, Syria, has also been another point of contention between the IRGC and the Iranian president. While Rouhani stated that the retaliatory missile attack by Iran is "not the decision of an individual or a military branch," but "such decisions are made in the Supreme National Security Council," the IRGC in its statement said that this attack was carried out with "coordination of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and under the command of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces." The IRGC's attacks date back to June 18, when this body announced that in response to recent ISIS attacks on the shrine of Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, and the Parliament building in Tehran, it targeted one of the centers of "command and support for Takfiri terrorists" in Deir ez-Zor, Syria. In this context, Rouhani's government has complained about the "electoral violations" of military forces and Friday prayer leaders.