Rouhani: Diverse Reaction by Iranian Leaders

            Top Iranian leaders used their congratulatory messages to President-elect Hassan Rouhani to offer their own takes on the election results. Some seemed unwilling to concede the defeat of the hardliner “principlist” camp. Other leaders focused on the high turnout rather than Rouhani’s win, claiming the election as a victory for the theocracy. The following are excerpts from their remarks.

Leaders and Politicians
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, supreme leader
            “Congratulations to the people and to President-elect Hojatoleslam Hassan Rouhani. I urge everyone to help the president-elect and his colleagues in the government, as he is the president of the whole nation.” In a June 15 statement
 
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, outgoing president
            “I have always deeply believed in the vast and endless capacities of the Iranian nation for development and [achieving] greatness… I believe that all peaks of glory can be conquered by believing and trusting in the Iranian nation and by respecting different interests and tastes.” In June 15 message
 
Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, former president
            “The new president is expected to use this period of opportunity to efficiently make use of a skilled and sincere study of the situation, which is a precondition for change, to resolve day-t0-day economic problems, and to strengthen and sustain religious, national, and revolutionary values, as well as the hopes that have been created in the people’s hearts.” June 19 in remarks to the press
 
Mohammad Reza Bahonar, deputy speaker of parliament
            “President-elect Rouhani is non-partisan and other political parties should not feel defeated because his win is a win for the Iranian nation and national unity.” In a June 17 interview with Mehr News
 
Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Ministry spokesman
            “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s principles and values of foreign policy are unchangeable, and what changes in practice is methods and styles, and as Mr. Rouhani said, (the protection of) Iranian nation’s rights is the criterion, and any government in any situation is committed to defending them.” 
 
Vahid Ahmadi, member of parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission
            “The June 14 political epic [high voter turnout] enhanced Iran's bargaining power on the international scene. The diplomatic apparatus can… express its views with much more power to materialize people's demands now… Certainly people's high turnout has increased bargaining power on the nuclear issue.” In June 16 remarks published by Fars News Agency
 
Esmail Kowsari, Tehran member of parliament
            “My recommendation to those who are attempting to make the role of [former President Akbar] Hashemi [Rafsanjani] and [former President Mohammad] Khatami more colorful [in contributing to Rouhani’s victory] is that it is better for them not to continue such an approach, because the people do not accept such an approach and [one] must fundamentally say that the people no longer trust Hashemi and Khatami.” In June 18 comments published by Asriran
 
Hojatoleslam Ali Akbar Nategh Nouri, Expediency Council member
            Rouhani is a symbol of “rational moderation, true reformism and real principlism.” In June 18 comments published by Entekhab.ir
 
Hamid Reza Taraghi, Islamic Coalition Party deputy for international affairs
            Rouhani is a “completely moderate face” who is both “a principlist and also a reformist… Our criticism was regarding the Khatami administration’s foreign policy. Mr. Khatami and his associates insisted on becoming closer to America, and even did some lobbying in this regard… Mr. Rouhani made a decision based on the opinion of the Supreme National Security Council and the supreme leader.” In June 17 comments published by Asriran
 
The Islamic Revolution Steadfastness Front, hardliner political organization
            "Form a cabinet in the decade of progress and justice composed of officials loyal to Imam [Ruhollah] Khomeini’s ideals, the blood of the martyrs and the grand clergy; [They should be individuals who] also stand against aristocracy, rent-seeking, cultural laxness and resist against [Global] Arrogance, so that with God’s grace, the country’s movement toward the goals of the fourth decade of the revolution is further accelerated." In a June 19 statement published by Tasnim News Agency
 
Ayatollah Abbas Kabi, Assembly of Experts member
            “The result of the eleventh presidential elections was another stamp [which proved that] the system’s enemies claiming unrealistic cheating in the [2009] elections [were lying].” In a June 17 interview with Fars News Agency
 
2013 Presidential Candidates 
Saeed Jalili, chief nuclear negotiator and Supreme National Security Council secretary
            “I extend sincere congratulations to Mr. Rouhani for garnering the trust of the majority of the nation and being selected by the people. I give him sincere congratulations for this… In my opinion, I think, now everyone must ensure that the president-elect, Mr. Rouhani, is successful in dealing with economic situation and the difficulties that exist.” June 15
 
Mohammad Reza Aref, former vice president
            “The people have shown that they appreciate convergence and understanding as many said that they would not vote, and that my encouragement was extremely valuable.” In June 17 remarks published by the Iranian Labour News Agency
 
Mohsen Rezaei, former Revolutionary Guards chief
            “I extend my congratulations for the election of Hassan Rouhani both to him and his supporters. I hope from our God that he is able to deal with the economic difficulties the people face.” June 15
 
Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor to the supreme leader and former foreign minister
            “First a congratulations for garnering the vote of the people, the vote of the people is a big indication of support and you must accept that choice. I am hopeful, that God willing, this vote will be even stronger in the future.” June 15
 
Military
The Revolutionary Guards
            “We are fully prepared to cooperate with the future administration in the framework of all our legitimate duties and missions. The grand and passionate presence of the people in the election on the one hand began a new chapter in the evolutionary movement of the Islamic Revolution and the progress of the country, and on the other hand, signaled another defeat for the enemies’ front.” In a June 16 statement
 
Yadollah Javani, senior advisor to the supreme leader’s representative to the Revolutionary Guards
            "The slogans that Mr. Rouhani announced during the elections indicate that he does not belong to the Reformist current at all, rather he is moderate, centered and law abiding and has announced that he will utilize the capabilities of moderate principlists and reformists." In June 19 comments published by Fars News Agency
 
Hojatoeslam Mojtaba Zolnour, advisor to the supreme leader’s representative to the Revolutionary Guards
            “The remainders of the [2009] sedition, who [made repeated claims of] cheating and said the election results were predetermined and [that] the people’s participation had no effect received an answer from the people.” In a June 18 interview with Asriran
 
Press
Hossein Shariatmadari, editor of conservative newspaper Kayhan
            “Attempts are being made to show that Hassan Rouhani owes his presidency to the support he received from reformists. It must be said that not only does Rouhani not feel obligated to reformists, but it is reformists who should thank Rouhani as his rise to power provides them an occasion to return to the political stage.” In June 17 comments published by Jahan News