Former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has been a pivotal player in Iranian politics since the 1979 Islamic revolution. His views have often adapted to the times, issue or public sentiment. But he has often argued that “moderation” and national unity could help Iran overcome domestic challenges as well as repair its relations with the outside world. The following are excerpts from various interviews, public remarks and campaign materials.
Iran’s Theocratic System
“We should live based on Islamic laws and not based on radical individuals' interpretations which sometimes make people's lives difficult.” May 2005 to journalists
“According to the constitution, everything in the country is determined by people's vote. People elect the members of the Assembly of Expert and then they elect leader, so the leader is [indirectly] elected by people's vote. Presidents, MPs, members of the councils are elected by direct votes of people. Other officials are also appointed [indirectly] through people's vote. Everything depends on people. This is the religious system. The title of Islamic Republic is not used as a formality. It includes both the republican and Islamic nature… This is a reality passed on to us on the basis of Koran, as well as the religious sayings of the [Shiite] Imams and prophet… Rest assured, if one of those two aspects are damaged we will lose our revolution.” July 17, 2009 in a sermon according to BBC Monitoring
His political career
“I entered the 2013 race to perform my religious and national duty given the country's situation … and its problems at home and abroad… Certain people and movements have resorted to lying and falsification and slurs to discredit others. These people, intentionally or unintentionally, are harming the Islamic revolution.” May 16, 2013 to Tehran University students
I have “been with the revolution second-by-second from the very beginning of the struggle, which was begun by our leader Imam [Khomeini]. We are talking about 60 years ago. I know what the Imam wanted.” July 17, 2009 in a sermon according to BBC Monitoring
Factional Politics and the 2009 Election
“I have never wanted to abuse this platform in favor of a particular faction, and my remarks have always concerned issues beyond factionalism… I am not interested in any factions. In my view, we should all think and find a way that will unite us to take our country forward and save ourselves from these dangerous effects and the emerging grudges…” July 17, 2009 in a sermon according to BBC Monitoring
Economy
“The income resulting from restructuring subsidies was supposed to be reinvested in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors, but these sectors have not received adequate support… Rising economic problems threaten the future of the country like an awesome avalanche.” January 2012 in a meeting with the Agricultural Council, according to ISNA
Subsidy reform (under President Ahmadinejad) led to an “insignificant amount of cash distributed to the population in exchange for alarming inflation… People are feeling the multiplication of prices and the drop of the currency’s value with their flesh and blood… Yet some are content with their imaginary statistics.” February 20, 2013 according to Donya-e-Eqtesad
United States and the West
“Several times when I was the president I mentioned that if the United States showed goodwill we would enter a dialogue with it. And I gave this directive to the Americans, that freeing our assets in the United States would be a sign of goodwill…They admitted the shah (for medical treatment after he fled Iran). They started it…”February 6, 2005 in an interview with USA Today
“There is no doubt that America is a superpower of the world, and we cannot ignore it…Americans should gradually begin to adopt positive behavior rather than doing evil. [But] they should not expect an immediate reaction in return for their positive measures. It will take time. ” May 2005 to journalists, according to Reuters
“I believe the main solution is to gain the trust of Europe and America and to remove their concerns over the peaceful nature of our nuclear industry and to assure them that there will never be a diversion" to military use. May 2005 to journalists
“Americans are using sanctions and pressure. In the negotiations, they also have the upper hand… Now, if we sit down with them to negotiate, they say, ‘You do this, and then we stop some sanctions.’ But this is not negotiations.” May 2012 in an interview with Jomhouri Eslami translated by PBS
“Our country should be united against all the dangers that threaten us. They [Western countries] have now upped their ransom demands and are coming forward to take away our achievements in the fields of hi-tech and particularly nuclear technology. Of course, God will not give them the opportunity to do so, but they are greedy…” July 17, 2009 in a sermon according to BBC Monitoring
Nuclear Energy Program
Nuclear energy “is our nation’s legitimate right ... especially when it is in accordance with international laws and regulations.” May 18, 2005 to journalists
“If one day the Islamic world is also equipped with weapons like those that Israel possesses now, then the imperialists' strategy will reach a standstill because the use of even one nuclear bomb inside Israel will destroy everything. However, it will only harm the Islamic world…” December 14, 2001 in a speech on Jerusalem Day according to the BBC
Israel and Palestinian Issue
“We are not at war with Israel. If the Arab countries are at war with them, we’ll help them.” April 2013 to reporters according to Mehr News
“We want all the Palestinians back in their homeland, and then there can be a fair referendum for people to choose the form of state they want... Whoever gets the majority can rule.” October 29, 2005 at a Jerusalem Day rally according to The Washington Post
“The Palestinian issue, and the formation of the state of Israel, are among the worst periods of our contemporary history. I don't know of any similar tragedy. In the 50 years since this pseudo-state was formed, and in the several decades before it when fighting was going on, hundreds of thousands of holy people shed their blood… Tragedies resulting from these events constitute the greatest encyclopedia of crime committed by the World Arrogance [United States].” December 14, 2001 in a speech on Jerusalem Day according to the BBC
Media Freedom
“We should not limit our media, which has legal permission for their activities. They should be able to work within the framework of the laws…The media should not expect to engage in activities beyond the legal framework, nor should the establishment expect them to ignore their legal rights…Our officials, law enforcement, military and security forces should help to create that atmosphere.” In a July 17, 2009 sermon according to BBC Monitoring
“We see that a Facebook page costing nothing can outstrip several television and radio outlets, and can influence millions of people… This, in my opinion, is a blessing… We see that if social media did not exist, movements against tyranny and oppression would be endangered.” May 29, 2013 according to ISNA via AFP