Khatami: Representatives of 10% of Society Impose Their Demands on the People

Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami criticized the pressure from hardliners on Hassan Rouhani's government, stating that it is unjust for representatives of 7 to 10 percent of society to impose their demands on the government and society in the name of the people. Khatami's remarks were reported by the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) on Wednesday, December 5, during a gathering with students and professors at Mofid University, where he expressed support for Rouhani's administration. He acknowledged that while Rouhani has not been able to fulfill all his promises, he has not turned away from them either, particularly regarding his approach to the Ministry of Science. This statement comes as Rouhani's third proposed minister for the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology finally secured the parliament's vote of confidence, which is dominated by conservatives. Following the impeachment of Reza Faraji Dana and his removal from the ministerial position, Rouhani proposed Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi and Fakhruddin Ahmadi Danesh-Ashtiani for parliamentary approval, but faced negative reactions from conservatives who believed the proposed candidates supported the protests of 2009. Khatami criticized these representatives, stating they are trying to suppress the people's will, which was manifested in the 51% vote for Rouhani. He remarked, 'What part of society do these representatives, who represent 7 to 10 percent, claim to represent? Is it fair for them to impose their demands on society and the government in the name of the people and to obstruct the will of the people, which has at least manifested in the 51%?' He also noted that more than 30% of the society did not participate in the 2013 presidential elections, and if they had, the balance would have tilted in favor of the 51%. Khatami added that significant portions of society desired more than what Rouhani proposed, which is why they did not participate in the elections. He stated that the confrontations happening are aimed at pressuring Rouhani to show that they still hold power and will not allow him to operate as he wishes. While supporting Rouhani's government, he acknowledged that the government could have acted better on political and cultural issues, including the house arrest of opposition leaders, but emphasized that these matters are beyond the government's control and that its resources are limited. Khatami also criticized views advocating a return to historical Islamic civilization models, questioning which Islamic civilization they refer to and whether it meets the needs of today's world. He expressed that civil society, which he advocated for during his presidency, should be compatible with modern democratic systems. He rejected the notion that the Islamic State (ISIS) was created by external forces, stating that much of the extremism in the Islamic world stems from colonial and neo-colonial violence. His comments come amid widespread beliefs among Iranian officials that ISIS was a creation of Western governments, particularly the United States, aimed at undermining the Islamic world. Khatami called for an end to the house arrest of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi.