The Supreme Leader Is Behind This Move to Reform

The New York Times - After the joy and excitement over the election of Hassan Rowhani as president, Iranians and the international community are anxiously wondering whether this new player can really move away from the disastrous policies of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his supporters.

I say “yes” because Ayatollah Khamenei decided to make this change!

For a very simple reason the system could no longer afford to confront internal and international pressures. Ayatollah Khamenei understood the urgent need for change in order to save the regime. The shattered economy and nuclear file were at the center of this election and the hottest topic during the presidential debates. Khamenei wanted to correct himself and correct the system in a very smooth and transitional process.

After the bitter disappointment of the previous fraudulent election and the growing gulf of mistrust between the people and the system, Ayatollah Khamenei has succeeded in gaining the public trust. He steered clear of taking sides in this election and called for unity even with those, “who might not support the system.”

If Khamenei didn’t want a moderate like Rowhani to become president, he would have never allowed him to run. Clearly his aim was to make changes and pursue a different policy in order to restore hope, make peaceful overtures to the international community, and save the country. It was a smart move by Iran’s ruling elite to preserve the system and save the country both from possible confrontation and general public outcry.

Khamenei needed public trust and electoral participation to justify major forthcoming changes, which may include replacing the chief nuclear negotiator, as well as releasing two reformist leaders, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who have been under house arrest for two years. High voter turnout and popular support for Rowhani have helped Khamenei in this regard.

by Camelia Entekhabifard