Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called for the country’s people to have a say in deciding whether Iran should continue its war with the United States or seek an alternative path.
Speaking at a gathering of former provincial governors late last week, Rouhani said Iran should first clearly define its national objectives and then present them to the public. Although he did not explicitly use the word “referendum,” political observers interpreted his remarks as a call for a public vote on whether the war should continue.
Rouhani said that if the government tells the Iranian people it intends to continue fighting major global powers for another 20 years and the public supports that course, the war could continue. But if the majority disagrees and proposes another way forward, their decision should also be respected.
He also stressed that any end to the conflict should be achieved with dignity and in line with the wishes of the majority of Iranians. Such a decision, he argued, could create an opportunity for the country to recover from the damage caused by the war.
Hardliners Condemn Rouhani’s Remarks
Rouhani’s comments have drawn strong criticism from Iranian hardliners, who have long opposed his approach of negotiations and engagement with Western countries.
Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency described his remarks as “dangerous,” arguing that Rouhani fully understands the implications of what he is saying during wartime.
Tehran lawmaker Morteza Mahmoudi reportedly called Rouhani the most hated president in the history of the revolution. At a pro-Islamic Republic rally, another speaker threatened Rouhani with violence and later said he should be hanged.
Rouhani served as Iran’s president from 2013 to 2021 and was one of the key figures behind the 2015 nuclear deal, under which Iran accepted restrictions on its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. The United States withdrew from the agreement during Donald Trump’s presidency.
COMMENTS