Skip to main content

Rouhani responds to controversial documentary about him

Iran's president has obliquely responded to an unauthorized documentary about his career by condemning "us[ing] the public treasury to destroy an administration elected by the people."

TEHRAN, IRAN:  Conservative Hassan Rouhani, deputy speaker of the parliament and secretary of Iran's top security body, the Supreme National Security Council, addresses thousands of pro-regime demonstrators who gathered 14 July 1999 at Tehran University, the main focus of six days of student protests which have shaken Iran's Islamic regime. Rouhani said the students arrested during the past two days of violent protests will be tried as "counter-revolutionaries". (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Get
Hassan Rouhani, then-deputy speaker of the parliament and secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, addresses thousands of pro-regime demonstrators who gathered July 14, 1999, at Tehran University. — ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani responded today, April 29, to a highly controversial documentary about his career that many believe was made by a group associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“Criticism is the right of the people and of all groups,” Rouhani said today at the opening ceremony of Tehran’s international book fair. “What is not acceptable is when someone, rather than criticize, wants to use the public treasury to destroy an administration elected by the people and with the majority of the votes. This is something the administration won’t accept.”

Subscribe for unlimited access

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more

$14 monthly or $100 annually ($8.33/month)
OR

Continue reading this article for free

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more.

By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in