Mr. Bahonar, you have no other command

Mr. Bahonar, you have no other matter

According to Iran Gate’s report, Mohammad Reza Bahonar’s recent statements about participating in the elections have provoked strong reactions from political figures inside and outside the country. Many believe that Bahonar is trying to return to the political arena and have a share of power in the governing structure of the Islamic Republic by aligning himself with radical factions.

In his recent controversial interview, Mohammad Reza Bahonar, former deputy speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, launched fierce attacks on reformists and even left Ali Larijani empty-handed. According to analysts, he is trying to prove himself as part of the radical factions in power and return to the circle of power. It seems that this political figure, who was previously known as a moderate supporter of the current situation and a middle ground figure among conservatives, is now trying to gain the trust of his radical counterparts.

Remains of the second step

Recently, Ali Larijani made a very important statement about the extensive efforts of the ruling faction to purify power. He implied that he himself, by disqualifying himself in the 1400 presidential elections, is also endorsing this policy. He believes that hardliners have not tolerated not only reformists and moderates but also moderate conservatives and traditionalists, and have excluded them from the circle of power.

Mohammad Reza Bahonar is one of the main victims of this policy. He, who is known as a moderate conservative and moderate, has been significantly sidelined in the purification process from the centers of power.

Of course, hardliners, or so-called purifiers, define their approach as the second phase of the revolution and consider it in line with the approved policies of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. This movement, which currently has significant influence in all three branches of the executive, legislative, and judicial powers, does not seem to have any intention of creating a path for the return of even moderate or conservative figures to power.

That’s why it is said that individuals like Bahonar, who have a similar approach, have been hardly expelled and now they are trying to make a place for themselves in the second phase of the revolution by taking positions similar to what was seen recently from the former deputy speaker of the parliament.

Mr. Bahonar, you have been suspected.

Bahonar, in his recent statements, strongly mocks Saeed Hajarian and reformists for taking a position of not participating in the elections. He criticizes the reformists for putting conditions on the government’s authority to participate in the elections and considers it their right to condition the participation of political factions in the elections.

It seems that this conservative figure has been suspected. Because if there is a queue of critics formed for the current conditions of political figures’ participation in the elections, Mohammad Reza Bahonar will definitely be at the forefront. This is because he and his colleagues not only have no share of power in the political atmosphere in Iran, but also have very little chance of successfully passing through the barrier of supervisory oversight.

The disqualification experience of Ali Larijani reminded observers that those in power and hardline factions have no inclination to share power with anyone outside their own circle. This is why it is said that Amr Be Bahonar, and especially his friends, have become suspicious of themselves, seeing themselves as sincere advisors and mocking reformists.

Where is Ali Larijani and where are the Bahonars?

In part of this interview, Bahonar claims that he has maintained his position in the power hierarchy and has not lost his former status. But the reality is that Bahonar and his associates have not only been left behind, but they also have no hope of getting back on the power train. This old principled conservative is well aware that he has become a victim of the purification project, and if there are no structural changes, there is no hope for his return to power.

When the Stability Front and radical and power-oriented factions are willing to pay the cost of removing a heavyweight player like Ali Larijani, it is certainly easy for them to sideline figures like Bahonar, who have distanced themselves from Larijani and the conservatives.