The Reflection of Rouhani's Presence in Parliament; Who Outmaneuvered Whom?

Despite Hassan Rouhani's earlier statement that he would use the opportunity in Parliament to express 'some truths' to the people, social media users believe that the Iranian president not only failed to convince the questioning representatives but also did not present any significant 'truth' to the public. The Iranian Parliament was only satisfied with one of Rouhani's responses. Some political activists had previously predicted that he would not make any particularly important or 'revealing' statements, yet some were still waiting for him to at least make some ambiguous references to internal obstacles beyond the government's control that contribute to current problems. Rouhani and his officials have repeatedly attributed factors beyond the government's management style to the current economic and currency conditions following fluctuations in Iran's currency. However, when Rouhani stated from the podium, 'I hope I can adhere exactly to the points mentioned by the Supreme Leader in the recommendations he gave me regarding today's session,' it became clear that no specific 'truth' should be expected from him. His statements today in Parliament, in addition to disappointing representatives, drew significant criticism from social media users from both factions, as he neither apologized for potential shortcomings of his government nor engaged in any revelations. Sadegh Zibakalam, a university professor, tweeted in response to these remarks: 'It is true that the country is facing a water crisis, but the President managed to bring a can full of cool, pure, and completely clean tap water to Parliament and poured it over all the hopes and expectations that have arisen in society regarding his speech for months with unparalleled courage and bravery.' Mostafa Tajzadeh also criticized Rouhani for not stating the facts, tweeting that 'Rouhani could have taken a significant step towards raising public awareness by explaining the root causes of the country's problems and attracting the nation's participation to solve issues, neutralizing the sabotage of the hidden government and Trump's greed. The negative vote from Parliament showed that not stating the facts emboldens the rival and discourages the people.' Ali Afshari, a journalist, wrote that 'today's yellow card from Parliament to Rouhani was more than just a reprimand; it was a fatal blow to him. Essentially, he lost the game to his supporters. He is finished, with neither a program nor the will to solve problems, nor the ability to resist Khamenei. A significant number of voters are also bewildered by the deception, waiting for the nightmare of a talkative presidency to end.' Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a reformist activist, tweeted that 'Mr. Rouhani was seriously outmaneuvered in politics today. Instead of any serious explanation, he went on a sermon—truly a sermon—on the virtue of unity. He had become a trustworthy advisor. But his opponents, in contrast, remained silent and quietly abstained from voting without any cost. So consider this, O political leaders.' A significant number of social media activists have accused Rouhani of prioritizing his political future and not being removed from power over his commitment to the people. The criticisms against Rouhani are so extensive that some users have referred to him with titles such as 'Siyas,' 'Churchill,' 'Amr ibn Aas,' and 'Abu Musa Ash'ari.' For instance, Yashar Soltani, a journalist, wrote with two meaningful hashtags 'Amr ibn Aas' and 'Abu Musa Ash'ari' that 'Rouhani's words today were not a response to Parliament and the people; they were his and his advisors' foresight for their personal issues.' A user named Emad Morshedi also wrote, 'How could you analyze and interpret a politician so much since morning? In my opinion, what I saw from Rouhani today in Parliament was pure Churchill. He knows politics well enough to outmaneuver the expectations of the public.' Ali Akbar Javanfekr, a senior manager in Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government, tweeted that Rouhani told the representatives in Parliament, 'Today, the people must be assured that we are all together. Mr. Rouhani, please do not worry; the people have been assured for years that you are all together and, of course, alien to the people and their ideals and values!' Bahram Golzadeh, a journalist, also wrote that 'today in Parliament, contrary to the advertisements that were made, no significant news was leaked from behind the scenes! Except that Rouhani once again received the rewards of his considerations from Parliament and the establishment! A case file for him, and sending it to the judiciary!! And hostage-taking of the president until the end of his term!' A user named Keyvan Ebrahimi wrote, 'Do you remember a few weeks ago when they created an atmosphere that Rouhani was going to come to Parliament and talk to the people and state the truths? But today this politician preferred to become a mouse in front of his opponents' sharp criticisms and not confront Parliament so that his political life would not be endangered.' Hossein Jahangir tweeted that 'today Rouhani amazed everyone and managed to keep only one person satisfied with his responses in Parliament, and that was none other than the Supreme Leader.' Rouhani's critical remarks about the protests in December 2017 in various cities of Iran, which began over economic problems and quickly spread to other areas, were also sharply criticized by social media users. Saeed Aganji, a journalist, wrote, 'How strange that Mr. President, you only hinted at the events of December 5, 2017, which were organized and formed by the hardline faction. Speak more clearly, Mr. President, so that the Iranian people can be informed.' Morteza Kazemian, a journalist and national-religious activist, also wrote about Rouhani's remarks in Parliament that 'Rouhani has been hit by both the majority of Parliament and the public opinion. His incorrect interpretation and unrealistic assessment of the root causes of last December's protests and blaming the people, as well as his futile attempt to align the majority of the opposing Parliament, left Rouhani stranded here and there. Mistake upon mistake.' A user named 'Sheldon' also reacted sharply to Rouhani's remarks questioning the December 2017 protests, writing, 'Trump threatened to exit the JCPOA; Rouhani said it doesn't matter, Zarif said he can't, Parliament mocked him, Khamenei insulted him, the IRGC launched missiles, and the loyalists burned his flag...; then now that he has carried out his threat, Rouhani says Trump's exit from the JCPOA is due to the December protests! How shameless can one be?' Users have also criticized what they called Rouhani's 'demanding tone' and his praise for the 'excellent' management of his government, sarcastically writing that gradually everyone should thank Rouhani and even apologize to him. A user named Mofrefri wrote, 'I think we should apologize to the esteemed President with the hashtag we apologize! We should console him!! Because according to what he explained in Parliament, the cause of the country's dire conditions is everyone except himself and his government! I personally apologize to Rouhani for the country's bad situation!!!' Ali Naderi, a journalist with a value-oriented perspective, also wrote, 'Rouhani's unspoken words, with which they have been threatening everyone for a month, were the same repetitive and always familiar statements of his. He was right to be upset about the questioning in Parliament because he fundamentally has no answers to the serious questions and problems of the people.' Value-oriented activists on social media have also reacted to Rouhani's remarks and criticized him for not accepting responsibility for the current situation in the country. Mohammad Saeed Ahadian, the editor-in-chief of Khorasan newspaper, wrote, 'I am glad that Parliament did not become controversial despite provocations. I am also glad that the representatives were not satisfied with the government's economic performance. But I am sorry that Rouhani does not want to understand the issues.' Meysam Ramazani also wrote, 'All the managerial problems of the country, from the welfare and inflation and the misery of these people, are due to the protests of December and, more importantly, the result of that placard that was at the clerics' gathering. The skyrocketing prices of housing, cars, and essential goods are due to these, sir. Is this answer not sufficient, dear ones?' Social media users criticized Rouhani for trying to present the country's situation as 'appropriate' in the Parliament, writing, 'It's good that Rouhani sees the glass half full, but it's bad that he makes us drink the half empty.' Mojtaba Vahedi, a political analyst, also wrote, 'Rouhani said in Parliament that he hopes to adhere to the Leader's recommendations regarding today's session. Some may think that the Leader has once again deceived Rouhani to prevent him from exposing the corruption behind the scenes. But I say Rouhani has deceived himself. Because while he is merely an actor, he thinks he is the director.' The overall tone of the critical tweets regarding Hassan Rouhani's statements reflects disappointment in relying on a president who today posed the question in Parliament, 'Why has the people's hope changed?' In this context, a member of Parliament stated: if the Parliament is not satisfied, Rouhani's case will go to the judiciary. Rouhani's criticism of the announcement of the representatives' questions from the President. The representatives' questions from Rouhani were officially announced. The changing battlefield of the 'proxy' forces; the war against the people in the streets of Iran. The crisis in Iran; the responsibility of the opposition and the possibility of radicalizing Iranian society. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iran crisis. A 'statement from doctors' about the 'evidence' of the deaths of protesters under treatment. The account of three witnesses from the situation in Isfahan province; 'like war zones.' The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iran crisis. Trump announced an agreement to hold a meeting about Greenland in Davos. Trump emphasized 'stopping executions in Iran': we do not know what will happen in the future.