In March, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was hauled before the Majilis, Iran’s conservative-dominated 290-seat Parliament, over his alleged mismanagement of the nation’s economy as well as his perceived defiance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the President’s dismissal of an intelligence minister in May 2011 among other policies, the first time in the Islamic republic’s history an Iranian President has been questioned by the Parliament and forced to defend his record since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. [12]
On November 4th, 77 MPs submitted a petition requiring Ahmadinejad to appear before lawmakers within a month to explain his “government’s procrastination in managing” Iran’s sanctions-hit economy. Lawmakers voted to summon Ahmadinejad over the country’s currency collapse. He was supposed to appear in an open session of parliament in early December. [4] In early October, Khamenei said: “some mismanagement of the draconian measures were adding to problems” for Iran’s economy. Kahamenei said parliament’s concern over the economy was positive, and that the Parliament initiating the plan “showed a sense of responsibility in the assembly and a readiness by government officials to answer question” on Iran’s economic woes. [7]
Ahmadinejad, whose disputed 2009 reelection brought charges of fraud and set off unprecedented street protests by the mostly urbanized middle class, is completing his second term which expires in August 2013 as a lame-duck President who cannot stand for a third term, and is not eligible to run in the Presidential elections scheduled for June 14th, 2013. [10]
Iran’s Judiciary Chief, Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani wrote a confidential letter to Ahmadinejad rejecting the President’s request to visit Tehran’s Evin prison, where his top press adviser, Ali Akbar Javanfekr was jailed after being convicted of publishing material deemed insulting to Khamenei. The judiciary turned down the request as not “appropriate” in the country’s current political and economic mood. Iran’s State Prosecutor Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi asked why the President never asked to visit Evin during his seven years as President, and said the judiciary rejected Ahmadinejad’s request because the President’s planned visit appeared to be politically motivated: The President wants to go there now that his close aide is behind bars. [11] Ahmadinejad revealed the contents of the note and publicly accused the Judiciary Chief of “unconstitutional” behavior, claiming that as Iran’s President he did not need permission to visit Evin prison. [8] Larijani responded, saying Ahmadinejad does not understand the limits of his constitutional powers, and barred him from accessing the jail. [5]
According to the state-run Mehr news Agency, in a speech broadcast on state TV on Wednesday, October 3rd, Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters in the Islamic Republic, warned that the political infighting by his subordinates must end: “I am warning top officials, do your job…I warn the heads of the three branches to mind their own business…One of the harmful cases is differences among authorities, and worse than that is taking it to the public. I warn the officials and the heads of branches of power to be careful and not take their differences to the people…be careful not to let minor matters turn into material for scandals.” [6] “The recent exchange of letters and the contents were not important at all but these disputes should not be made public as it gives ammunition to foreign media and enemies to create controversy.” Khamenei said during a meeting with high school students a few days before the commemoration of the anniversary of the hostage taking at the US Embassy in Tehran on November 4th, 1979. “From today to election day, whoever willfully takes disputes to the people and uses their sentiments to provoke differences has definitely committed treason again the state.” [3]
Speaking at a meeting of the Basij, a volunteer militia, Khamenei demanded that the Parliament drop its bid to summon Ahmadinejad for further questioning over the nation’s plummeting currency and economic crisis: “I demand that the respected MPs not go ahead with this.” Saying if the matter went further, such a session would play into the hands of Iran’s enemies, Khamenei issued an order to the legislature declaring: “The country need tranquility. Authorities also need to carry out their tasks. People like peace.” [4]
The Parliament Speaker, Judiciary Chief Sadegh Larijani’s brother Ali Lrijani, wrote to Khamenei accepting his demand and pledging that lawmakers would not pursue the summons further, after which MPs quickly fell into line, potentially endng, at least for the moment, a possible impeachment process against Ahmadinejad. “By adhering to the supreme leader, we announced that we would not pursue the task.” Said lawmaker Evaz Heidarpour on behalf of the 77 MPs behind the move. In a letter to Khamenei, Ahmadinejad backed down from his public dispute with the judiciary: “The government fully welcomes your notice and won’t engage in domestic quarrels and disputes and will patiently tolerate all unkind behavior as before.” Ahmadinejad pledged to concentrate on overcoming Western economic sanctions instead: “The nation and the country are under pressure as a result of enemy plans. My colleagues and I have employed all our energies around the clock to handle the affairs and confront the wide-ranging conspiracies by those who wish us ill, to alleviate pressures on the people…But it requires the contribution of all branches and a sense of their responsibility and cooperation with the government, which is now at the forefront of fighting the West’s full-fledged economic war.” [1]
BBC correspondent Sebastian Usher comments: “Ayatollah Khamenei…has already fought and won his own, widely reported political battle with President Ahmadinejad. The President’s closest allies have been picked off one by one by factions backing the supreme leader…Ayatollah Khamenei’s demand to the Majlis…may also indicate his preference for Mr. Ahmadinejad to see out the remaining months of his Presidency…Ahmadinejad may be more useful as a scapegoat for growing public frustration with the failing economy—damaged by international sanctions targeting Iran’s nuclear prograsmme and government management. The alternative if were to be impeached is that he might re-emerge as a political martyr, who might attempt revenge with some uncomfortable revelations about the inner workings of the ruling religious elite. [12] [10]
Ahmadinejad, whose disputed 2009 reelection brought charges of fraud and set off unprecedented street protests by the mostly urbanized middle class, is completing his second term which expires in August 2013 as a lame-duck President who cannot stand for a third term, and is not eligible to run in the Presidential elections scheduled for June 14th, 2013. [10]
Iran’s Judiciary Chief, Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani wrote a confidential letter to Ahmadinejad rejecting the President’s request to visit Tehran’s Evin prison, where his top press adviser, Ali Akbar Javanfekr was jailed after being convicted of publishing material deemed insulting to Khamenei. The judiciary turned down the request as not “appropriate” in the country’s current political and economic mood. Iran’s State Prosecutor Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi asked why the President never asked to visit Evin during his seven years as President, and said the judiciary rejected Ahmadinejad’s request because the President’s planned visit appeared to be politically motivated: The President wants to go there now that his close aide is behind bars. [11] Ahmadinejad revealed the contents of the note and publicly accused the Judiciary Chief of “unconstitutional” behavior, claiming that as Iran’s President he did not need permission to visit Evin prison. [8] Larijani responded, saying Ahmadinejad does not understand the limits of his constitutional powers, and barred him from accessing the jail. [5]
According to the state-run Mehr news Agency, in a speech broadcast on state TV on Wednesday, October 3rd, Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters in the Islamic Republic, warned that the political infighting by his subordinates must end: “I am warning top officials, do your job…I warn the heads of the three branches to mind their own business…One of the harmful cases is differences among authorities, and worse than that is taking it to the public. I warn the officials and the heads of branches of power to be careful and not take their differences to the people…be careful not to let minor matters turn into material for scandals.” [6] “The recent exchange of letters and the contents were not important at all but these disputes should not be made public as it gives ammunition to foreign media and enemies to create controversy.” Khamenei said during a meeting with high school students a few days before the commemoration of the anniversary of the hostage taking at the US Embassy in Tehran on November 4th, 1979. “From today to election day, whoever willfully takes disputes to the people and uses their sentiments to provoke differences has definitely committed treason again the state.” [3]
Speaking at a meeting of the Basij, a volunteer militia, Khamenei demanded that the Parliament drop its bid to summon Ahmadinejad for further questioning over the nation’s plummeting currency and economic crisis: “I demand that the respected MPs not go ahead with this.” Saying if the matter went further, such a session would play into the hands of Iran’s enemies, Khamenei issued an order to the legislature declaring: “The country need tranquility. Authorities also need to carry out their tasks. People like peace.” [4]
The Parliament Speaker, Judiciary Chief Sadegh Larijani’s brother Ali Lrijani, wrote to Khamenei accepting his demand and pledging that lawmakers would not pursue the summons further, after which MPs quickly fell into line, potentially endng, at least for the moment, a possible impeachment process against Ahmadinejad. “By adhering to the supreme leader, we announced that we would not pursue the task.” Said lawmaker Evaz Heidarpour on behalf of the 77 MPs behind the move. In a letter to Khamenei, Ahmadinejad backed down from his public dispute with the judiciary: “The government fully welcomes your notice and won’t engage in domestic quarrels and disputes and will patiently tolerate all unkind behavior as before.” Ahmadinejad pledged to concentrate on overcoming Western economic sanctions instead: “The nation and the country are under pressure as a result of enemy plans. My colleagues and I have employed all our energies around the clock to handle the affairs and confront the wide-ranging conspiracies by those who wish us ill, to alleviate pressures on the people…But it requires the contribution of all branches and a sense of their responsibility and cooperation with the government, which is now at the forefront of fighting the West’s full-fledged economic war.” [1]
BBC correspondent Sebastian Usher comments: “Ayatollah Khamenei…has already fought and won his own, widely reported political battle with President Ahmadinejad. The President’s closest allies have been picked off one by one by factions backing the supreme leader…Ayatollah Khamenei’s demand to the Majlis…may also indicate his preference for Mr. Ahmadinejad to see out the remaining months of his Presidency…Ahmadinejad may be more useful as a scapegoat for growing public frustration with the failing economy—damaged by international sanctions targeting Iran’s nuclear prograsmme and government management. The alternative if were to be impeached is that he might re-emerge as a political martyr, who might attempt revenge with some uncomfortable revelations about the inner workings of the ruling religious elite. [12] [10]
- The Associated Press. “Iranian President Backs Down, Will Follow Top Leader’s Order To Stop Public Political Clashes.” November 2, 2012. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/11/02/iranian-president-backs-down-will-follow-top-leader-order-to-stop-public/
- The Associated Press. “Iran’s Leader Stops Lawmakers Grilling President.” Wednesday, November 21, 2012. http://news.yahoo.com/irans-leader-stops-lawmakers-grilling-president-162704071.html
- The Associated Press. “Iran’s Leader Warns Officials Against Taking Political Disputes Public, Calls It ‘Treason’.” October 31, 2012. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/10/31/iran-leader-warns-officials-against-taking-political-disputes-public-calls-it/
- The Associated Press. “Iran’s Top Leaders Order Parliament To Call Off Planned Questioning Of President Over Economy.” November 21. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/11/21/iran-top-leader-orders-parliament-to-call-off-planned-questioning-ahmadinejad/
- Bozorgmehr, Najmeh. “Khamenei Moves to Ease Infighting.” Financial Times. November 21, 2012. http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/d2796678-33d6-11e2-9ce7-00144feabdc0.html
- Dareini, Ali Akbar. “Iran Leader Warns Against Public Political Clashes.” The Associated Press. Wednesday, October 31, 2012. http://www.salon.com/2012/10/31/iran_leader_warns_against_public_political_clashes/
- Davari, Mohammad. “Khamenei Halts Iran President’s Grilling By Parliament.” Agence France-Presse. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iIVvRP53kp9D4T7o5hTOx9b6kXyQ?docId=CNG.b9b3b652b4be184b8d91f0b4ad1e1237.5b1
- Erdbrink, Thomas. “Iran Supreme Leader Warns Subordinates To Stop Bickering.” The New York Times. October 31, 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/01/world/middleeast/iran-ayatollah-warns-subordinates-to-stop-bickering.html?_r=0
- Erdbrink, Thomas. “Iran’s Supreme Leader Warns Bickering Politicians.” The New York Times. November 1, 2012. http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2012/10/31/iran-supreme-leader-warns-bickering-politicians-that-their-public-disputes-amount-treason/agEzHPO1OVNW5K7vLzwqoL/story.html
- Ghosh, Palash R. “Iran’s Leader Khamenei Spares Ahmadinejad From Parliamentary Grilling.” International Business Times. November 21, 2012. http://www.ibtimes.com/irans-leader-khamenei-spares-ahmadinejad-parliamentary-grilling-895974
- Nasseri, Ladane. “Khamenei Warns Iran’s Top Officials To Avoid Political Spats.” Bloomberg. October 31, 2012. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-31/khamenei-warns-iran-s-leaders-to-avoid-political-disputes.html
- Usher, Sebastian. “Iran Supreme Leader Tells MPs Not To Summon President.” BBC News. November 21, 2012. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20426775
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