The head of Iran’s expediency council says that while he supports Hassan Rohani, the president made campaign promises about political and social liberties that go beyond the limits of his executive power. In an interview published in the Aftob daily on Saturday March 14, Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani said: “Political issues and freedoms are not […]
Tag: Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani
New chairman chosen for group that oversees leader
Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi was elected as the head of the Assembly of Experts, wining 47 of the 73 votes case. Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, who also ran for the position, received only 26 votes. Ayatollah Yazdi is the head of Qom Seminaries and has served as head of the judiciary in the past. He was […]
Reports of former administration’s corruption called “tip of iceberg”
The head of Iran’s Expediency Council said on Tuesday December 16 that the administration cannot fully report on the depth of the problems it has inherited from the former administration, adding that only “the tip of the iceberg of corruption” has been revealed so far. ISNA reports that Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani said that despite […]
Rafsanjani set to run again as leader of Assembly of Experts
Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, the head of Iran’s Expediency Council, has announced that he is prepared to declare his candidacy for the top seat in the Assembly of Experts. The moderate cleric’s statement, which was reported on Wednesday October 29 by the Shargh daily, comes after hardliner Ahmad Khatami said Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani will not […]
Expediency Council head says Iran, U.S. can cooperate in Iraq
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the head of Iran’s Expediency Council, says Iran has shared interests with the U.S. in Iraq and there is no reason to avoid collaboration between the two countries on these matters. In an interview with the Japanese daily Asahi on Wednesday July 9, Hashemi Rafsanjani said: “If necessary, Iran can collaborate […]
Iranian official says workers should get permit for march
Ayatollah Rafsanjani, the head of Iran’s Expediency Council, has officially called on the administration to issue a permit for a march on International Workers’ Day. On his website, Ayatollah Rafsanjani was quoted as saying in a meeting with labour activists: “The presence of workers is an expression of democracy in that strata of society […]
Cleric urges “extremists” to keep from blocking diplomatic blossoming
Iranian moderate cleric Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani says it is vital that “extremists” allow Iran to establish relations with the world. The Mehr News Agency reports that Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani said in Kermanshah: “If extremists allow us to establish relations with the world, many of the country’s problems would be resolved; otherwise we cannot achieve […]
Hashemi calls for unified support of new adminsitration
The head of Iran’s Expediency Council said on Monday July 29 that he is confident Hassan Rohani can satisfy the people’s demands, so long as he is supported by all branches of government. Emphasizing his close knowledge of the president-elect, Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani said: “If they allow him, with the collaboration of the other […]
Iranian official speaks out against extremism
The head of Iran’s Expediency Council has once again attacked extremism in politics, emphasizing that the country must maintain a positive interaction with the world . Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani told a group of academics in a meeting on Sunday July 21: “We cannot continue being cross with the world… and extremism has always restrained […]
Expediency Council head reaches out to Sunnis
Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, the head of Iran’s Expediency Council, told a meeting of Sunni clergy and activists in Mashhad: “The problems of the Sunni community in Iran have to be addressed, and they should be given a chance to serve the community and influence it equitably.” The Fars News Agency reports that Hashemi Rafsanjani […]