Wrapping up the last cabinet meeting before the Nowruz, Iran’s New Year, President Hassan Rouhani defended his government's economic performance before journalists, accusing internal parties of causing distractions over popular protests.
For his part, Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri warned of worsening “internal divisions and differences”, and stressed the need to conduct a nationwide dialogue.
The past two months have seen emerging disputes pitting conservatives against reformists, especially between Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and self-proclaimed reformist President Rouhani.
Rouhani and Khamenei failed to see eye to eye on what triggered popular unrest in over 80 Iranian cities against the high prices on products and services, and the ever-deteriorating living conditions the people face.
Iranian officials, especially right wingers, have sought to curb all demonstrations demanding the overthrow of the regime and the Iranian Supreme Leader.
While Khamenei said that the Iranians demanded an improvement in living and economic conditions, Rouhani went further by saying that the Iranian slogans chanted at protests were not limited to economic demands, but also included social, political, cultural and foreign policy demands.
Rouhani said earth-shattering popular demonstrations criticized all authority performance, but also said that some parties had tried to create a state of disarray.
He added that he “accepts the protests if they are legal.”
“Divisions and differences between the political forces in the regime should not continue,” Jahangiri said, warning of the disintegration of Iranian society.
“The unemployment crisis and the livelihood of people are the most important challenges for Iran in the coming year,” Jahangiri said on the sidelines of the cabinet meeting.
Jahangiri revealed the National Security Council's close follow-up on lifting house arrest of reformist leaders Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, and vowed to resolve the matter soon, referring to orders issued in this regard.
“House arrest of opposition leaders will definitely be lifted in coming months,” said Jahangiri.
