In light of the raging debate over the legality of the military’s candidacy for the upcoming Iranian presidencies, an independent political source revealed the real reasons behind the Revolutionary Guards ’insistence on militarizing the presidency to contain the dangers and challenges aimed at undermining the Islamic Republic.
In a move suggesting a possible heat for the presidential race, the cold weather in the capital, Tehran, saw Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan, former Iranian Defense Minister, advisor to the Supreme Leader for military affairs, to run for the presidential elections scheduled for June 18, 2021.
Although the military establishment is prevented from interfering in politics in accordance with Iranian law and the recommendations of the founder of the Islamic revolution, Ruhollah Khomeini, a number of other revolutionary elements intend to run in the upcoming presidential elections.
Perhaps the most prominent of these are the current Speaker of Parliament Muhammad Baqir Qalibaf, his predecessor Ali Larijani, the former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the head of the headquarters of "Khatam al-Anbiya for Reconstruction" Saeed Muhammad, his predecessor, Rustam Qasimi, the former head of the Radio and Television Corporation Izzat Allah Darghami, as well as the losing candidates Saeed Jalili and Mohsen My satisfaction.
In light of the intense debate in Iran over the legality of the military establishment’s candidacy in the presidential elections, the Iranian parliament last week rejected a proposal preventing the candidacy of military officials, and voted in favor of amendments to the electoral law that would allow members of the Expediency Council and the Supreme Council for National Security to run in the elections.
While the head of the Iranian parliament said that the existing laws are sufficient to prevent the military from misusing the country's capabilities, and that the military have the right to run in the elections after severing their ties with their military establishment, the Guardian Council spokesman Abbas Ali Khaddae said that the presence of the military in the elections is a "right" for them, stressing that Their military ranks will not affect the study of their powers.
Dehghan was quick to announce his candidacy for the presidency of Iran 2021 (Iranian press)
Truth
and
sacrifice, and
with the approaching date of the opening of the door for candidacy for the 13th presidential elections and the raging debate between the political and military circles regarding fears of the military faces exploiting the influence of their institution and its repercussions on the administration of the country, the Revolutionary Guard criticized by Brigadier General Ismail Kothari, advisor to the commander in chief of the Revolutionary Guard, the double standards in dealing with the institution Military that sacrifices the blood of its members for the sake of the nation
Kothari - who had previously entered the Iranian parliament (2009-2017) - considered raising the issue of militarization of politics as a psychological war targeting the Revolutionary Guards, stressing in press statements that the Iranian constitution prohibits membership of the military in political parties and currents, and that there is no legal problem regarding the candidacy of the military in The election.
While those affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards argue that the military president will make a leap in the country's development due to the congruence of his views with the Supreme Leader, Iranian observers refute this vision and consider that the era of President Ahmadinejad is the best proof of its inaccuracy.
Kothari returned to the Revolutionary Guard after spending 8 years under the parliament (Iranian press)
Fears and Criticisms
In response to Kothari’s statements in which he said that the Iranians are not afraid of the arrival of the military to the executive authority, Reza Hajjat, a researcher at the Contemporary History Foundation for Studies, confirmed that the Iranian voter turned his back on the military candidates in the previous elections.
Hajj said in his speech to Al-Jazeera Net that a military leader assuming the presidency would negatively affect public freedoms in the country and its foreign policy, not to mention that there is no justification for the military to enter the field of politics in light of the will of the founder of the revolution, Ayatollah Khomeini, that they should stay away from politics.
He considered that the talk about the resignation of the military personnel from their posts when entering politics was "just a justification," and cited the return of Brigadier General Kothari to the Revolutionary Guard after spending 8 years under the dome of Parliament.
Hajj concluded that the militarization of the presidency is not worthy of Iranian democracy, and that there are real fears among some citizens of the continued control of the military over the executive authority or their coup attempts, adding that he excludes the occurrence of such events in his country.
Pieces of the Iranian Navy in international waters near the Gulf (Iranian press)
Real reasons
In the meantime, an independent Iranian political source revealed - on condition of anonymity - that the real reason for raising the issue of the military president is the critical stage the country is going through, especially the possibility of the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during the next eight years, stressing that the military establishment wants Blocking the road for those who lie in the Islamic Republic during the transitional period.
In an interview with Al-Jazeera Net, the source indicated that some neighboring countries have normalized their relations with the Israeli entity, and the Western military presence in the Gulf waters to ensure maritime navigation, stressing that the stage requires a military leader capable of dealing with the dangers facing Iran.
He explained that the reason for naming the Revolutionary Guard is due to its main mission to protect the Iranian revolution, and that the military leaders' race to reach the presidency comes in the context of their sensing of the dangers and challenges aimed at undermining the Islamic Republic.
He concluded that Iran has made great achievements in its regional policy over the past years, and that it urgently needs to be maintained and stabilized by a military chief who takes over the reins during one or two sessions, and there are no real intentions to militarize the presidency in Iran like some third world countries.