Former Iranian president and prominent reformist figure Mohammad Khatami has urged the Rohani government to honour its election promises, adding that the country’s security-laden atmosphere does not befit the Iranian people.
In a meeting with his advisers on Tuesday March 8, 2016, Khatami highlighted the role of MirHosein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard and Mehdi Karroubi in the recent parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections.
Referring to the three opposition leaders under house arrest, he said: “Those three magnanimous individuals with their voluntary participation in the elections have announced that they accept the elections and its organizers”, adding that their actions were instrumental in bringing voters to the polling stations.
He went on to say: “No one should feel defeated by these elections. The people have voted for the approach they prefer. The dignity and rights of the people should be heeded and protected.”
Similar statements were made by other moderate figures, Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani and Hassan Khomeini.
While stressing that political groups are relatively satisfied with the results of the elections, Khatami did make reference to the widespread disqualification of reformist candidates by the Guardian Council.
He reminded the government that it is now time to honour its promises, including an end to the house arrest of Mousavi, Rahnavard and Karroubi.
