Election Turnout Tantamount to Referendum, Says Outspoken Iranian Dissident

Election Turnout Tantamount to Referendum, Says Outspoken Iranian Dissident
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Election Turnout Tantamount to Referendum, Says Outspoken Iranian Dissident

Election Turnout Tantamount to Referendum, Says Outspoken Iranian Dissident

Fa'ezeh Hashemi, a well-known Iranian political activist, said that the country's presidential election on Friday was tantamount to a referendum since more than half of the eligible voters refused to go to the ballots. She advised the Islamic Republic officials to take heed of the people's grievances and demands that were expressed in a "civic fashion."

In an Instagram interview with Camelia Entekhabifard, the Independent's Persian editor-in chief, a few hours after the exit polls were announced, Hashemi called the campaign to boycott the elections by groups of Iranians inside and outside the country "successful."

'A Referendum'

Hashemi, who is the daughter of the late Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, one of the high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic, said: "We must continue to voice our demands and protests and never step back. This effort has yielded results, and it can be so henceforth."

She casted doubt on the official election results citing her own observations throughout the capital. "Voting stations were deserted until late afternoon, but suddenly it was said that people rushed to the stations, which does not sound reasonable."

The Meaning of Void Ballots

Hashemi, a former member of Iran's parliament (Majles), added that many people casted blank or void ballots because their favored candidates had been disqualified, as well as out of fear that they might be considered "counter-revolutionaries."

"It is meaningful that the number of void ballots ranked second to that of the winning candidate, and the establishment must take this token of protest seriously."

Foreign Policy, Regional Ties

Hashemi expressed hope that Iran's top officials learn a lesson from the turnout and replace the existing aggressive foreign policy with "appropriate, constructive, and friendly interaction" with the world.
She added that the powerful conservatives prolonged the process of the nuclear talks to get credit for the possible economic benefits resulting from the removal of US sanctions against Tehran.

As to Iran's relations with regional nations, particularly Saudi Arabia, Hashemi stressed that talks initiated between Tehran and Riyadh should be pursued by the incoming government of Ebrahim Raisi.

"I don't believe that starting talks with Saudi Arabia was exclusively initiated by the government of [outgoing President Hassan Rouhani], which could not have done so without the green light from [Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei or the Revolutionary Guards Corps. Therefore, I find it likely that the talks will continue, and Iran will move towards reviving its ties with Arab countries, particularly Saudi Arabia."



Mashhadani to Asharq Al-Awsat: Regional Coordination Needed to Prevent Syria’s Division

Mashhadani during a parliamentary session (Iraqi Parliament website)
Mashhadani during a parliamentary session (Iraqi Parliament website)
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Mashhadani to Asharq Al-Awsat: Regional Coordination Needed to Prevent Syria’s Division

Mashhadani during a parliamentary session (Iraqi Parliament website)
Mashhadani during a parliamentary session (Iraqi Parliament website)

Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani has called for high-level coordination among key regional players—including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and other nations—to avert one of the most dangerous scenarios facing Syria: the threat of division, which he described as “one of Israel’s objectives.”

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Mashhadani discussed the Syrian crisis and its impact on Iraq and the broader region. He explained that the current Syrian situation has unfolded with unforeseen tools, timing, and external support, yet remains controlled and deliberate.

According to the Iraqi official, Syria faces three possible outcomes: stability, chaos, or division.

“Who supports the division of Syria?” he asked, saying “Israel alone, while key nations in the region—such as Iran, Türkiye, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Jordan—oppose it.”

He urged these nations to overcome their differences and coordinate to prevent Syria’s fragmentation and maintain its stability, saying: “We must prioritize the unity of Syria over our disputes.”

Mashhadani emphasized Iraq’s efforts to mediate and foster understanding among these countries, saying “Iraq has a unique historical opportunity to reclaim its regional role.”

He explained that Iraq’s strategic position as a crossroads between major nations enables it to facilitate dialogue and cooperation. He also stressed the importance of high-level security coordination, citing shared concerns over threats such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and ISIS.

“We all share common fears regarding the spread of extremist groups,” he said, “and Iraq can act as a coordinator to address these concerns.”

Additionally, he called for Iraq to collaborate with Gulf countries to address legitimate fears regarding Syria’s future governance and potential domination by extremist groups.

“We must ask: who will govern Syria, and how do we prevent the rise of radical forces like the Muslim Brotherhood?”

Mashhadani highlighted the unified rejection by Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia of plans to forcibly relocate Palestinians from the West Bank to Sinai, Jordan, or Iraq.

“This displacement scheme is unacceptable to us and to the region,” he affirmed.

On Iraq, Mashhadani confirmed that the parliamentary elections are set to take place in October, in line with agreements among political blocs. He also emphasized the need for national unity, saying: “Iraq needs a leadership umbrella that represents the entire nation, and parliament is best suited to fulfill this role.”

He further stated that his political agenda centers on rebuilding and uniting Iraq’s Sunni community, which has faced significant challenges since 2014.

“My mission is to bring together the different Sunni factions, despite their rivalries and conflicting interests,” he said. “I aim to serve as an umbrella figure—a stabilizing presence to guide them toward cohesion and cooperation.”

Revisiting his 2014 proposal for “national reconciliation,” Mashhadani stressed the importance of transitioning Iraq from a system based on sectarian divisions to one grounded in citizenship, where merit and competence prevail.

“We asked ourselves: what kind of Iraq do we want?” he recalled. “The answer was clear—an Iraq that transitions from a state of components to a state of citizenship.” However, the initiative was sidelined due to political events, including the 2018 protests. “The need for reconciliation is more urgent than ever,” he concluded.

Mashhadani dismissed recurring calls for the creation of a Sunni federal region as “political immaturity.” Reflecting on a similar proposal for a nine-province Shiite federal region in 2006, he reiterated his opposition to dividing Iraq.

He distinguished between federalism and division, saying: “Federalism is a promising concept, but it requires deep understanding and experience. Division, on the other hand, would be disastrous.”

“Iraq’s diversity makes unity our only viable path forward. Citizenship must be the foundation of our state," he added.