Rouhani's Advisor Accuses Opponents of Lausanne Agreement of Exploiting Sanctions

The senior advisor to the President of Iran attributed the opposition of "many political activists" to the Lausanne agreement, referring to it as a "big loss," to the jeopardizing of their "interests" or the interests of their "affiliates" from Western sanctions against Iran. Akbar Turkan, senior advisor to Hassan Rouhani, stated in an interview with the newly established website "Neday Iranians" on Saturday, April 22, that "their way of profiting has been blocked, and they have raised their voices regarding the nuclear issue." He emphasized, "Who does not know that lifting any sanctions means reducing smuggling and embezzlement from the economy and market of Iran?" According to Mr. Turkan, "most" comments from political activists inside Iran opposing the Lausanne agreement are "to gain leverage." He clarified, "Many of these political activists... consider the nuclear agreement a big loss due to the benefits they or their affiliates have derived from the harsh conditions of sanctions." Despite the support of many officials of the Islamic Republic, including the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran for the Lausanne nuclear agreement, some members of the Iranian parliament, including members of the Steadfast Front and Hossein Shariatmadari, representative of the Supreme Leader in Kayhan newspaper, have strongly criticized this agreement. Hossein Shariatmadari even went so far as to suggest canceling the Lausanne agreement. Meanwhile, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, also asked the Iranian nuclear negotiating team on Thursday to invite prominent opponents of the Lausanne agreement to hear their opinions. He had previously requested on the first day of Farvardin that the government and its supporters not insult those who, according to him, "express concerns and worries" and added that "humiliating opponents by officials is contrary to wisdom and strategy." Akbar Turkan, referring to these remarks by the Supreme Leader, stated that "histrionics and exploitation" by political activists is not "constructive criticism." He stressed, "A specific faction is politically exploiting the nuclear discussion because they realized that if Iran reaches an agreement with the U.S. on the important nuclear dispute, it may... prevent the conditions for exploitation." The senior advisor to the President of Iran also reiterated his previous claim regarding "dirty money and the exploitation of political activists from their positions." Mr. Turkan had previously stated on Saturday, March 7, 2015, that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former President of Iran, had a "planned movement" with him, and individuals in this movement want to participate in the political arenas of 2016 with dirty money. Prior to Mr. Turkan's remarks, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, the Iranian Minister of Interior, had stated on Saturday, February 21, 2015, that part of the money related to drug trafficking "enters politics and is used in the form of electoral assistance and decision-making." He also announced on Thursday, March 5, 2015, that he did not say in his previous remarks that "the current elections are problematic," but warned that "those with dirty money want to create a safe margin for themselves." Mr. Turkan in his remarks on Saturday said, "The Minister of Interior is ready to discuss all these issues specifically with representatives. In fact, he has already discussed them in a meeting with some of them." He added, "Political activists also know very well who the government means and to what extent of violations, such as receiving smuggled money, bribes, and money laundering." Mr. Turkan emphasized, "To say that the government is making political accusations against opponents is ridiculous. Which sane person believes that the cost of one to several billion for a parliamentary candidate... with an unclear background is only for the sake of God?" Mr. Turkan's statements come at a time when the Minister of Interior's remarks about "the entry of dirty money into politics" have led to protests from the president and several members of parliament, with 30 representatives signing a letter requesting his summons to parliament to explain his statements. Mr. Rahmani Fazli has also expressed readiness to attend parliament and provide explanations to the representatives. In this context, Haddad Adel stated that the Minister of Interior did not explicitly say that dirty money has entered politics. The Minister of Interior has expressed readiness to explain the "process of dirty money." Turkan: A faction wants to participate in the political arena with dirty money. Rouhani has issued an order to confront "illegal docks." A member of parliament implicitly accused some government officials of corruption.