The gradual death of the dream of reforms

The gradual death of the dream of reforms

According to Iran Gate, former Iranian President and leader of the reformist government, Mohammad Khatami, admitted in a message commemorating the 1357 Revolution anniversary that the dream of reforms has gradually died. He acknowledged that people have the right to be disappointed, but he also offered some repetitive suggestions for improving the situation. He stated that these suggestions are contingent upon changing and amending the constitution, which is not necessarily needed. Instead, he believes that so many reforms can be achieved by returning to the spirit and even the text of the current constitution.

In his message, Khatami emphasized the need to not become captive to terminology and natural or artificial divisions. He mentioned the division among reformists, referring to the shared interests between them and some individuals who were part of the conservative front, as well as those affiliated with named or unnamed factions. They all seek the unity of scattered forces that demand structural and behavioral changes. However, they do not recommend overthrowing the system, especially considering the risks it poses to the people and the country.

Khatami follows Mir Hossein

Khatami’s message was published one day after Mir Hossein Mousavi, who has been under house arrest for 12 years, issued a statement emphasizing the necessity of changing the constitution and forming a founders’ parliament.

Mir Hossein Mousavi’s statement faced harsh reactions from the state-controlled media in Iran, accusing him of seeking to overthrow the Islamic Republic. In his recent statement, Mr. Mousavi stated that the implementation of the constitutional law without compromise, which was hoped for thirteen years ago, is no longer effective and that a step beyond that must be taken.

However, Mohammad Khatami stated in his detailed message, which was officially published on his Telegram channel, that reformism, if we don’t say it has become abstinent, has at least hit a dead end and the people have the right to become as hopeless as the ruling regime.

He described the method of reformism as a request from high-ranking authorities for reform, which they have shown that they don’t even listen to, let alone reflect on it and also the presence in the realm of power, at any cost, which doesn’t allow them to be present in a non-selfish manner.

Mr. Khatami has admitted that the path of reformism and reformist methods have reached a deadlock, but he has said that reformism has more capacity than conventional reformists and expressed hope that these other forces will make their voices heard by society and the government, which may, and of course, may force the government to change its approach and accept reforms.

After the protests in Dey 1396 (December 2017), there were many criticisms against the reformists and Mohammad Khatami. Some of the supporters of this political movement accuse him of compromise and silence in the face of security pressures. They have taken a more critical stance against the government, and some consider the Islamic Republic as unreformable. Of course, there has been a long-standing difference among the reformists.

On the eve of the 1388 (2009) presidential elections, Mohammad Khatami announced his candidacy and stated that only one person will be nominated between him and Mir-Hossein Mousavi. Shortly after, Mir-Hossein Mousavi surprisingly announced his candidacy, leading to a deep disagreement between these two political leaders, as perceived by observers. Even now, it seems that Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mohammad Khatami have different statements and approaches.

Mr. Musavi has written about various economic crises, inefficiency, lack of legitimacy, and so on. According to Mr. Musavi, these crises are the result of a corrupt and unsustainable structure of the country’s fundamental system. He writes that Iran needs a fundamental transformative movement that outlines the path to a freer life for women. He states that the same right that laid the foundation for the people’s revolution in 1979 and the current constitution is also essential for future generations.

Khatami’s proposals addressed to the government

In his recent message, Seyyed Mohammad Khatami kindly considers his suggestions and writes, in my opinion, the least costly and most beneficial way to overcome the crisis is self-improvement in both structure, approach, and behavior.

Mohammad Khatami, with a warning about the ominous shadow of bipartisanship over society, writes that on the one hand, preserving the system is considered obligatory, and if there are any problems, they are attributed to external approaches and actions. On the other hand, everything is portrayed as black and terrifying.

The head of the reformist government has also presented 15 proposals in this statement addressed to the authorities. However, he emphasizes that these proposals are not for the sake of returning to power but for finding a way to mitigate the crisis.

It is worth mentioning that two years ago, Mohammad Khatami, on the eve of the presidential election, wrote in a 37-page letter addressed to Ayatollah Khamenei that he is never against the revolution, leadership, and sovereignty.