Iran’s regime’s infightings have increased before the upcoming sham presidential election on June 18. While the regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had previously warned about the consequences of these infightings, his regime officials continue attacking each other.
“The political atmosphere is at the height of fragmentation, and society is bewildered and undecided. This is a great danger that will be crushing if we do not act and the political division and hostility continue,” Sharq daily warned the regime officials on Thursday.
While announcing his candidacy for the sham presidential election on May 15, Ali Larijani, former parliament’s speaker, said: “The field of economics is neither a barracks nor a court to be ruled by order.”
Larijani was attacking Khamenei’s candidate, Ebrahim Raisi, the current Judiciary Chief, and other candidates such as Hossain Dehghan, who are the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) top commanders.
In response, Khamenei’s faction lashed Larijani. On May 15, Javad Karimi Ghodoosi, a former member of the regime’s parliament, accused Larijani of having secret relations with the United Kingdom. Ghodoosi called the Guardian Council to disqualify Larijani.
The IRGC’s officials telegram account on May 18 wrote: “Reformists golden replacement in last moments for election. Larijani replaces Rouhani.”
Mohsen Rezaee, the first Commander of the IRGC, on May 15, also attacked Larijani and Eshaq Jahangiri, the current vice president of the regime’s president Hassan Rouhani. “Yes, the economic field is neither a barracks nor a court. But it is neither a place for hollow remarks. Officials’ hollow remarks have seriously damaged Iran’s economy,” Rezaee said.
“I would like to underline that those who came here are the ones behind the country’s problems. They created such a drama, some of them cried. Gentlemen, where were you? You are the cause of the misfortunes of the Iranians today. If these previous governments and parliaments had acted correctly, would we have been entangled in this situation today?” Rezaee added according to the state-run Iran daily.
On Sunday, MP Mehdi Esmaili also lashed Jahangiri and Larijani. “Once they speak about the field and diplomacy, once they speak of being a colonel or a jurist, and now in line with their deceptive strategy compare economy with barracks and the court. Those who say these words are the main culprits of people’s current poor living conditions,” Esmaili said.
“Larijani is dreaming about reaching Pastor [where the office of the President is located.] Thus, he adjusts his position with the wind,” said MP Ebrahim Azizi on Sunday.
“Larijani is the cause of the current situation and his crime in the sufferings of the country and the people today is no less than Hassan Rouhani and Ishaq Jahangiri,” said MP Mansour Ali Zarei Kiapi on May 16.
During the regime’s sham presidential election in 2016, Rouhani underlined Raisi’s role in the 1988 massacre, forcing Khamenei to avoid selecting Raisi, fearing people’s hatred toward the “hanging judge.” Recently, Rouhani also indirectly referred to Raisi’s role as the caretaker of the Astan-e Quds Razavi, Iran’s largest financial institution.
“What are the meanings of Mr. Rouhani’s words? He said, ‘leave Imam Reza for people.’ Did Mr. Raisi confiscate Imam Reza for himself? What about speaking of 38 years of torture and executions? Were you not in the Supreme Security Council? I call this modern charlatanism,” Freydoun Abbassi, Chairman of the Energy Commission of the Parliament and one of the regime’s candidates, attacked Rouhani on Tuesday.
“The creators of the current situation, mainly the economic [crisis], shouldn’t speak reforming and resolving country’s issues,” said MP Malek Shariati on May 18.
“Most of these people do not have an acceptable record, and, strangely, they say that they are looking to improve the current situation and solve the country’s problems. Inflation crossed 50% and broke the 75-year record of the country, which shows the weakness of the government’s economic team,” Shariati added, according to Mehr News Agency, an outlet linked to the regime’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security.
“Mr. Chairman, people consider you a dictator, even with your Hollywood-like gestures. They consider you Rouhani’s twin. The reality is unforgettable, no matter how hard you try to change yourself,” said MP Nasrollah Pejmanfar on Thursday.
As the date of the sham elections approaches, the regime’s infightings increase. Khamenei has decided to eliminate candidates of the rival faction by using the Guardian Council. But, due to the danger of the regime’s escalating factional feuds and the danger of the restive society, will he be able to select Raisi?
In an article on Thursday, Resalat daily warned the regime’s factions of increasing factional feuds ahead of the election, described as “fake polarization.”
“Fake polarization causes people to become bored and tired of participating in politics and increases the fragility of society to such an extent that extremism, aggression, and radicalism are valued. We put national security amid two enemy seditions on the path of a soft overthrow by global arrogance,” Resalat wrote.
“During the last two decades, the people’s political, social, and economic demands have accumulated. Since these demands have not been fulfilled, they have caused a great deal of frustration. People’s resentment is a political warning that is now shown in the form of unwillingness to participate in elections,” Hossain Marashi, one of the regime’s former officials, told the state-run Sharq daily on Wednesday.