Following President Rouhani’s deal with the Supreme Leader last month on nuclear talks, senior clerics have given their backing to the Government.
In early January, Rouhani sought Ayatollah Khamenei’s assurance against pressure from hardliners who want to set aside November’s interim nuclear deal and further discussions. In return, the President promised to pull back from efforts to open up political and cultural space, including the release of political prisoners and opposition leaders under strict house arrest.
On Saturday, 1st Vice President Eshagh Jahangiri visited clerics in the holy city of Qom to explain the deal and seek their blessing over “complex foreign policy issues”, according to State news agency IRNA.
IRNA said the response of the clerics was unanimously positive.
“This Government has inspired hope in our society. Its way of communicating has put us in line with other cultures,” said Grand Ayatollah Lotfollah Safi Golpaygani.
Other clerics blamed Rouhani’s predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for economic and political struggles
“Poor leadership by the previous government is at the root of much of our problems today,” Grand Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli said.
