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Twelfth Presidency in Conversation with the First President

Jan 28, 2026 January 28, 2026 1 min read 📰 Radio Farda
📋 Key Takeaway

Abolhassan Banisadr, the first president of Iran, criticized the current structure of the Islamic Republic, claiming it lacks true republican values. He revealed that Ayatollah Khomeini once stated that the regime only pretended to value public votes to avoid being labeled as tyrants. This conversation highlights ongoing debates about legitimacy and governance in Iran.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: Banisadr's remarks highlight deep-rooted issues regarding governance and legitimacy in Iran as the country approaches a pivotal election.

👥 Key Players

Abolhassan Banisadr MENTIONED
First President of Iran
"Banisadr's critiques provide historical context and insight into the legitimacy of the current Iranian regime."
Ayatollah Khomeini MENTIONED
Founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran
"Khomeini's ideologies and actions shaped the foundation of the Islamic Republic, influencing its governance and legitimacy."

📰 What Happened

Abolhassan Banisadr appeared on a program to discuss the upcoming presidential election and criticized the current political structure of Iran, claiming it lacks true republican values. He revealed that Khomeini once indicated that the regime only pretended to value public votes.

  • Banisadr served as the first president of Iran from 1980 to 1981.
  • He highlighted a conversation with Khomeini that suggests a disconnect between the regime's actions and democratic principles.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: The discussion raises questions about the legitimacy of the Iranian government and the role of public opinion in its decision-making.
🌍 Regional: It could influence public sentiment and political movements within Iran and potentially in neighboring countries.
🌐 International: Western nations may view these critiques as indicative of internal dissent, affecting diplomatic relations and policies towards Iran.

📚 Background

The Islamic Republic of Iran was established in 1979, with Khomeini as its leader, promising a government based on Islamic principles and republicanism. However, debates about the true nature of its governance persist.

Iranian presidential elections Political legitimacy in authoritarian regimes
📡 Source: OPPOSITION
📊 Confidence: 70%
Banisadr's views reflect opposition perspectives and may not represent the official state narrative.

One week before the twelfth presidential election, the sixth hour program hosted a person who once occupied the same chair; a seat that is now contested. The guest of this program was Abolhassan Banisadr, the first president of Iran. In this program, Mr. Banisadr states that the current structure of the Islamic Republic has no alignment with 'republicanism' and that the founder of the Islamic Republic, contrary to what he claimed, did not value the people's vote. He recounts his conversation with Ayatollah Khomeini during his presidency, during which the then-leader explicitly told him, 'We say let them vote so the world doesn’t say they are tyrants; otherwise, the people have no vote.'

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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