Full Breakdown
Rouhani Calls for Public Vote on Ending Iran’s War
9/9/2026, 1:48:45 AM
Core Event: Former President Urges a Referendum
Former president Hassan Rouhani, now president-elect, told a gathering of ex-provincial governors that the Iranian public should decide whether to continue the war or seek an “honorable” end. He argued the nation’s “national goals” must first be clear before being presented to the people, suggesting a referendum could legitimize either continuation or a new direction.
Background & Context
Rouhani’s remarks come amid renewed debate over Iran’s long-standing conflict with regional powers. Reformist former president Mohammad Khatami recently reiterated support for the expired Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed by Washington and Tehran, warning that missing the “opportunity created by the memorandum” would bring “extraordinary problems.” The call for a public vote follows weeks of hard-liner pressure and a broader push by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to dominate Iran’s political agenda.
Official Statements & Responses
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, speaking separately, called for national unity, a message echoed by state broadcasters that Rouhani later criticized as a “center for division.”
Criticism & Opposition
The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency charged Rouhani with “fueling polarization” and failing to respect the Iranian people’s dignity. Some pro-regime media outlets reported calls at rallies for Rouhani’s execution, though the Jerusalem Post could not verify any footage of such demands.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Since World War II, no document signed by a US president has given this many advantages to the other side and imposed this many commitments on itself,” — Mohammad Khatami, former iranian president
- “If we lose the opportunity created by the memorandum, we will face extraordinary problems… This memorandum has no parallel.” — Ben Sabti, an Iran expert with the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS)
