Expert: There is Some Tension in the Relations between the Supreme Leader of Iran and President (EXCLUSIVE)

• 07.25.2017, 11:09
•  Region,  World,  Interview

"Armedia" IAA talked to Iranian expert Gohar Iskandaryan on the internal political developments in Iran.

- The other day it became known that the brother of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Hussein Fereydun was arrested. The accusations of financial fraud against Fereydun were made back in 2016. Why was the decision to arrest him made only now?

- Indeed, such accusations did sound against Rouhani’s’ brother. However, it was decided to wait for the finalization of information and the completion of the presidential election to act. In my opinion, the spiritual leader of Iran this time would not like to see Rouhani as a president. However, in the elections, the Iranian youth, the progressive ones, citizens who want to continue their relations with the West, they all voted for Rouhani. This caused a slight change in the layout of the maps of the clergy and led to certain tension on the Iranian political arena. Today, the Iranian opposition often makes a statement to Rouhani that he can repeat the fate of the first president of the Islamic Republic Banisadra, that is, be removed from office. In response, Rouhani encourages his constituents not to be afraid of the minority, in whose hands large microphones currently are, and this does not mean that they can treat them as they want. This statement seems to be addressed the clergy, whose actions, of course, are coordinated by the spiritual leader.

It is interesting that the brother of President Rouhani was arrested during this very period. I think that the arrest of President’s brother is the answer to the fact that he is trying to pursue an independent policy. As we know, Iran's foreign and domestic policies are completely determined by the religious leader, and thus they try to preserve this situation.

This scenario also occurred with former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, when during his second term of presidency his relationship with the supreme leader was so tense that the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps asked the spiritual leader to order the arrest of the president. Then we witnessed numerous arrests among the supporters of the Iranian President.

- How will the arrest of the brother affect the presidency of Hassan Rouhani and his political role in Iran?

- I think that it will not have any influence. The investigation will be prolonged to make it an instrument of pressure on Rouhani, but this will not affect his presidency. In the end, Rouhani is chosen by the people of Iran, and he is not responsible for the actions of his brother.