14 September 2013
Mahmoudreza Golshanpazhooh
Mahmoudreza Golshanpazhooh
Under Rouhani, rationality has started to play a powerful role in Iran’s domestic and foreign policy.
The recent presidential polls in Iran resulted in the election of
Hassan Rouhani, who began his term after introducing his cabinet for a
vote of confidence to the Iranian parliament (Majlis). Fifteen of his ministers won the Majlis’ vote of approval. Caretakers currently run the three remaining ministries
Throughout his election campaign and after being elected, Rouhani
highlighted short-term plans that his government would implement within
the first 100 days of his presidency. However, a more accurate
assessment of his administration’s performance, fortes and weaknesses
will only be possible after the first year of his presidency.
Nonetheless, a review of Rouhani’s remarks, the arrangement of his
administration’s top managers, and the way he has chosen to deal with
critics since his election, all piece together a picture of what the
Iranian nation will face in the near future. In the world of politics, a
single event or incident is enough to change both a government’s
approach and a nation’s fate, while rendering all previous predictions
moot.
As a result, what follows is actually based on the assumption that
the new administration will be able to maintain the current atmosphere
in Iranian society — there will be no special domestic developments, nor
major political upheaval in the Middle East and Rouhani’s
administration, or the president himself, will not make any sudden
changes to their proposed plans. Therefore, the following article is
open to discussion.
The Necessity to Understand
In almost all the speeches he has made since his election, Rouhani
has put emphasis on the phrase: “The necessity to understand the message
and demand of the voters.” This shows that, firstly, the high voter
turnout in the polls as well as the election of Rouhani in the first
round of the election, is of high value to the Islamic Republic.
The new administration is determined to reiterate its strategy to
take advantage of its domestic and foreign leverage. Secondly, the
Rouhani administration wants to keep this tool – his victory in the
first round of the elections – fresh in people’s minds in order to
control its opponents and critics.
The New President’s Rhetoric
Rouhani’s remarks in various speeches, post-election, shed more light
on his positions on domestic issues, the Islamic Republic,
international sanctions, nuclear and foreign policy. Below are several
excerpts from his speeches:
- His Election: "[The
result of] this election was not the consequence of a rift between [the
Iranian] people and government, because the Iranian people have voted
for a person as their president who has been serving for many years in
sensitive posts under the Islamic Republic of Iran. This election was
indicative that the Iranian people are striving toward dignity, and put
renewed emphasis on the reality that democracy has become
institutionalized and will be lasting in Iran."
- Equality and Unity: "'All'
the Iranian ethnic groups are [like] diverse flowers in the garden of
Iran, provided that they come together under the overarching umbrella of
[the] Iranian and Islamic culture of the Islamic Republic... The
Ministry of Interior shoulders the responsibility to realize the
citizenship rights of 'all' the Iranians across the country. We must act
in such a way as to foster a feeling of equality and equal
opportunities for 'all' the people... We should take advantage of 'all'
religious minorities in [the country’s] affairs and plans. Unity and
solidarity can be only created through action, not slogans.
- Islamic Law and Ethics: "The
[new] administration considers itself obliged to work toward [the]
promotion of the Islamic ethics and do its best to elucidate the Islamic
law. I have accepted reasonability with people’s support; the people
who seek better livelihood and social status; the people who want to
stay away from poverty, corruption and discrimination; and the people
who want to thrive under a free atmosphere of spirituality and
rationality and have trust in their future."
- Sanctions: "In
the international arena, we will also take new steps to promote the
position of the Iranian nation in order to meet [the country’s] national
interests and get sanctions removed. Although there are many hardships
ahead, future prospects are clear and hope inspiring."
- Nuclear Energy Program: "Iran's
peaceful nuclear energy program is a matter of national interest, which
transcends the borders among political factions. All the principles
governing this issue will be maintained. This means that Iran's nuclear
rights will be underlined by the administration in accordance with
international regulations, and we will never turn a blind eye to [our]
people’s right. At the same time, however, we will be ready for dialogue
and interaction. We are ready to enter into serious negotiations with
our opposite sides with seriousness and without wasting any time. If the
opposite party shows the same degree of readiness [and resolve], I am
sure that the two sides’ concerns can be dispelled through dialogue
before long.
"...As president of Iran, I announce that the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran
has serious political will to solve this problem while safeguarding the
rights of the Iranian nation and, simultaneously, addressing and
dispelling the concerns of the opposite side. We hope that the opposite
side would have this political determination as well, because, if this
is the case, the optimal result will be achieved; not in long term, but
in short term."
- United States of America: "The
White House statements do not conform to its behavior. On the whole, I
am not pessimistic about [the] future outlook of negotiations. I don’t
think that the West has not heard Iran's message yet. I don’t think that
the West still thinks that continuation of [anti-Iran] sanctions or
threats will get them anywhere. Constructive interaction and dialogue
and dispelling common concerns will be beneficial to both sides. We are
seeking a win-win game and this is quite possible."
- Chemical Weapons: "The
government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is, itself, a victim of the
chemical weapons, and aims to draw the attention of the international
community to this point that it should do its utmost in order to ban the
use of such weapons anywhere in the world... Insecurity, terrorist
acts, and the Zionist regime’s air strikes against Lebanon are both
condemned and prove that the enemy has hatched many plots for the Middle
East, and the signs of these plots are already visible in [such
countries as] Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt."
On the whole, the following points can be derived from Rouhani’s
remarks as his main objectives: endeavoring to encourage a sense of
self-confidence among Iranians; cultivating a feeling of calm in
society; proving the new administration’s approaches are "legal" and
"ethical"; making calculated references for the need to respect the
rights of all Iranian citizens; emphasizing the necessity of showing
logical flexibility with regard to the nuclear energy program; taking
advantage of his own experience in domestic and foreign policy for the
optimal management of social affairs; understanding people’s suffering
as a result of sanctions; raising hope that negotiations will result in
the removal of sanctions; and at the same time, emphasizing the need to
safeguard Iran's rights and interests in the international arena.
As a result, it appears that rationality has started to play a more
powerful role in Iran's political scene as compared to before. This has
had a tangible impact on the general atmosphere in Iranian society and
has helped placate the concerns of the people.
This newfound state of tranquility has been evident over the last two months, with no major economic or political upheavals within the country. The real change can be seen and heard in the words and attitudes of the Iranian people.
*[This article was produced in partnership with Iran Review.]
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