Irans Ex-Leaders and Hardliners Clash Over Protest Killings

Tehran, Iran – Several former Iranian leaders have issued statements criticizing the government’s handling of recent protests, which resulted in thousands of deaths. The Iranian government claims that 3,117 people were killed during the anti-establishment protests.

Mir Hossein Mousavi, a former reformist presidential candidate, stated that the situation is “a catastrophe” and called for the nation to bring about freedom and prosperity through peaceful means. He also emphasized the need for a constitutional referendum and a democratic transition of power without foreign intervention.

Mostafa Tajzadeh, a jailed former reformist politician, expressed his desire for Iran to move beyond its current conditions and called for an independent fact-finding mission to uncover the truth about the protests. Other former leaders have criticized the government’s actions but avoided calling for the removal of the Islamic Republic from power.

Former President Hassan Rouhani recently gathered ex-ministers and insiders for a recorded speech, where he proposed “major reforms” without specifying what they entail. He acknowledged that Iranians have been protesting for various reasons over the past four decades and urged the state to listen to their concerns.

Mohammad Khatami, a former president from 1997 to 2005, stated that violence disrupted protests that could have led to improved dialogue and development. Mehdi Karroubi, another senior reformist cleric, described the protest killings as a “crime” and attributed the country’s current state to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s policies.

A group of 400 activists, including figures from inside and outside the country, backed Mousavi’s statement. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has verified 6,854 deaths and is investigating 11,280 other cases.

Source: Al Jazeera