Ali Motahari, former vice speaker of Iran’s parliament, said internal failures left the system disconnected from society, placing responsibility on the authorities themselves.
He noted that around 95% of the public was under economic pressure as prices surged, accusing the government of negligence and warning it nearly repeated the fuel-price shock seen under Rouhani’s administration. While some governments promoted freedom of expression, he said other parts of the system blocked it.
Motahari also criticized security agencies for focusing excessively on critics instead of their core responsibilities, which he said contributed to being caught off guard during the war. He added that the Guardian Council has played a major role in declining voter turnout, arguing that while the constitution does not mandate strict limits, the council pushed the system toward selective oversight.
He noted that around 95% of the public was under economic pressure as prices surged, accusing the government of negligence and warning it nearly repeated the fuel-price shock seen under Rouhani’s administration. While some governments promoted freedom of expression, he said other parts of the system blocked it.
Motahari also criticized security agencies for focusing excessively on critics instead of their core responsibilities, which he said contributed to being caught off guard during the war. He added that the Guardian Council has played a major role in declining voter turnout, arguing that while the constitution does not mandate strict limits, the council pushed the system toward selective oversight.