Iran's ex-president Rouhani urges public say on ending war, prompting calls for arrest

What Happened

Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani publicly advocated for a national referendum to determine whether the Iranian public supports continuing the current conflict or pursuing an honorable end to the war. Speaking at a gathering of former provincial governors, Rouhani criticized hardline factions for monopolizing national discourse and suggested that the state should align its strategic goals with the will of the majority to facilitate national reconstruction. In response, Hossein Shariatmadari, editor-in-chief of the Kayhan newspaper, publicly called for judicial and security authorities to investigate Rouhani for alleged surrender to the United States and Israel. Additionally, the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency accused Rouhani of fueling internal polarization and undermining national unity as defined by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The public disagreement between a former president and hardline state-aligned media highlights deepening internal fractures within the Iranian political establishment regarding the sustainability of its current regional conflict posture. Rouhani’s call for a referendum challenges the state's centralized decision-making process on foreign policy and security, suggesting that the economic and social costs of the conflict are becoming a point of contention among the political elite.

Watch For

Monitor for potential legal or security actions taken by the Iranian judiciary against Hassan Rouhani following the calls from hardline media. Additionally, observe whether other reformist figures follow Mohammad Khatami and Rouhani in publicly questioning the state's current strategic trajectory or the viability of existing diplomatic frameworks.