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iranintl – Iranian and regional media continue to assess President Ebrahim Raisi’s performance as he enters the third year of his presidency.
Tehran’s Khabar Online website quoted lawmaker Gholam Ali Jafazadeh Imanabadi on Tuesday, who stated that Raisi’s track record over the past two years is characterized by failure. Imanabadi emphasized that Raisi should either step down or refrain from seeking a second term.
Imanabadi pointed out that Raisi has been unable to address unemployment, poverty, social tensions, and various other issues impacting the nation’s welfare during the past two years. He further noted that Raisi’s track record lacks any positive points and accused him of resisting the rule of law within the country.
Lawmaker Gholam-Ali Jafazadeh Imanabadi
Former Presidential candidate Mostafa Hashemitaba echoed Imanabadi’s sentiments about Raisi’s weaknesses. Hashemitaba told Khabar Online that the government is failing to convey the truth to the nation regarding the dire economic situation. He also accused Raisi of dismissing suggestions made by well-wishers.
Similar to other critics, including prominent clerics Raisi met on the anniversary of his government, Hashemitaba also highlighted Raisi’s failure to fulfil promises made to the nation during the 2021 presidential elections. He further criticized Raisi’s administration for lacking effective solutions to the nation’s problems.
Former Vice President Mostafa Hashemitaba
Academic Bijan Abdolkarimi, speaking to the Rouydad24 website, commented that the Iranian government is generally influenced by hardliners it cannot control. While trying to be fair to Raisi’s government, Abdolkarimi noted that the radicals within the government are responsible for the nation’s issues, rather than general mismanagement.
Abdolkarimi added that hardliner infiltrators and radicals within the government have caused significant harm, but the public is overwhelmed with various problems, making them less aware of these individuals. He also claimed that the radicals perceive no obstacles to their destructive activities, highlighting a dangerous divide between the government and the people.
Warning of a destabilizing gap between the government and the people, Abdolkarimi called for swift solutions to this issue. He stated, “Financial problems have deprived the nation of peace of mind. Given this circumstance, the government should prioritize the people’s livelihood over issues like hijab. Iranians are grappling with unprecedented inflation, and naturally, their concern for issues like hijab is diminished.”
Regarding hijab regulations, Abdolkarimi noted, “When a segment of society disagrees with a law, it signifies a lack of legitimacy for that law, and the government should not insist on enforcing it.”
Academic Bijan Abdolkarimi
On August 17, the Hebrew website Walla referred to research conducted by the IDF Intelligence Division. It suggested that there is a growing belief among Western intelligence sources that Raisi’s chances of succeeding the 83-year-old ruler Ali Khamenei are high.
While the idea of Raisi’s succession has weakened due to his performance in the past two years, some Iranian analysts, like Mehdi Mahdavi Azad, believe he could potentially be an ideal supreme leader under a despotic military regime after Khamenei’s death.
Walla’s analysis states, “Two years into Ibrahim Raisi’s tenure, Iran’s economy is in a deep crisis, the hijab protests may resurge, but there have also been political achievements. Israel’s assessment of Raisi’s character describes him as ‘one of the least qualified for his position,’ and continues: ‘Raisi broadcasts something weak and much less dominant than his predecessors.'”
