\u201cIt is very important that the framework of our national goals is clear to ourselves first, and then we present it to the people,\u201d he said. \u201cWe say to the people: our plan is to fight the world\u2019s big powers for another 20 years. If the people say they accept it, very good, let\u2019s continue. But if the people do not accept it and show us another way, do we not want to accept that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Rouhani called for the war to end \u201chonorably\u201d and in accordance with \u201cthe overwhelming majority of the people.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must, in accordance with the overwhelming majority of the people, end the war with honor so that we can rebuild the country, so that we can compensate for the damage done,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Iranian President-elect Hassan Rouhani (credit: Reuters)<\/p>\n
The former president also criticized Iran\u2019s state broadcasters, claiming that the media stations had become a \u201ccenter for division.\u201d<\/p>\n
Backlash over Rouhani\u2019s remarks<\/p>\n
Though Rouhani\u2019s remarks left open the possibility that the Iranian public could choose to continue the war, his comments were met with criticism from hardliners.<\/p>\n
Hossein Shariatmadari, the editor-in-chief of the Kayhan newspaper, called on Iran\u2019s judicial and security authorities to investigate Rouhani, accusing him of advocating surrender to the United States and Israel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe real meaning of Mr. Rouhani\u2019s position is abandoning the defense and surrendering the country to the United States and Israel,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n
The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency also accused Rouhani of fueling polarization after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei<\/a> reportedly called for national unity.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Rouhani\u2019s recent remarks are a clear example of \u2018pouring water into the enemy\u2019s mill\u2019 and an obvious assist to those hostile to the system and the Iranian people,\u201d the agency published, accusing him of failing to respect the dignity of the Iranian people.<\/p>\n