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| Ahmad Hashemi |
In an interview with Voice of America, Ahmad Hashemi, a former employee of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and journalist, discussed the connections between Iran’s new president, Hassan Rouhani, and reformist groups. He also commented on the objectives of reformists in supporting Rouhani during the elections and the expectations of various political groups, including non-Persian communities, from the new president.
According to some political experts, a significant portion of reformist forces supported Hassan Rouhani, who is recognized as a moderate politician, with the aim of regaining access to power circles. Ahmad Hashemi shares this view but believes that only those close to Iran’s Supreme Leader will have the opportunity to return to positions of power.
“Hassan Rouhani frequently uses the term ‘moderation’ in his speeches. It is possible that he will appoint moderate reformist figures, those who fully support the Islamic Republic of Iran and are closer to Khamenei, to positions in his government,” says the former interpreter for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, he adds that such measures have their limits.
Currently living in exile in Turkey, the journalist believes that the main goal of some reform-oriented groups is to preserve the Iranian regime while regaining power. “Although they are called reformists, they do not want fundamental changes to the system,” emphasizes Mr. Hashemi.
According to Mr. Hashemi, who hails from Qom, a city considered Iran’s religious center, no significant changes are expected from Hassan Rouhani regarding the rights of marginalized groups in Iran, including women and ethnic minorities.
“Issues such as the right of non-Persians to education in their mother tongue and women’s hijab are among the red lines of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hassan Rouhani, who has a long history with Iran’s security institutions, remains loyal to the pillars of the system,” Ahmad Hashemi highlights, pointing out that the new president is a product of the political structure established by the Islamic Revolution.
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Əhməd Haşimi: Həsən Ruhanidən ciddi islahatlar gözlənilmir