Iran's Political Rift Widens as Former President Rouhani Calls for Major Reforms Amid Protest Fallout

In a striking departure from the Islamic Republic's typically unified front, former President Hassan Rouhani has called for "major reforms" to address the root causes of recent nationwide unrest, warning that superficial changes risk triggering renewed mass demonstrations.

Speaking against a backdrop of severe internal repression that rights groups say claimed at least 6,000 lives, Rouhani argued the regime must respond to fundamental public demands. "People have demands and we must respond to them with a major reform, not a minor reform," he stated. "If you make minor changes, God forbid, we might face problems again in two or three months, or even in 10 days."

His remarks, echoed by other emboldened reformist figures, represent a significant fracture within Iran's political elite. They follow weeks of protests that began over economic frustrations but escalated into calls for the overthrow of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, met with internet blackouts and lethal force from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The criticism triggered immediate backlash from hardliners. Nasrollah Pejmanfar, a hardline parliamentarian, demanded Rouhani's arrest and execution, declaring: "Today is the time for major reform, which is the arrest and execution of Rouhani."

This internal discord unfolds as diplomatic channels stir. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Istanbul on Friday, with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE also attending—talks aimed at both easing internal tensions and reviving stalled nuclear negotiations.

Reformist voices, increasingly marginalized in recent years, are now speaking out more forcefully. Javad Emam, spokesman for the Reformist Front coalition, stated moderates must "stand with the people," while Mir Hossein Mousavi—the Green Movement leader under house arrest since 2011—described the crackdown as a "black page" in Iranian history and called on security forces to lay down their arms.

In a significant development, 26-year-old protester Erfan Soltani was released on bail after facing possible execution, a case that had drawn international condemnation, including from former U.S. President Donald Trump.

The regime's brutal response has also triggered international repercussions. The European Union last week designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization, prompting Iranian legislators to retaliate by labeling all EU militaries as terrorist groups.

As internet access slowly returns after weeks of shutdown, footage emerging shows widespread grief at protesters' funerals—a somber contrast to state television broadcasts that mocked slain demonstrators, sparking fury on social media.

Analysis: Rouhani's intervention signals a pivotal moment where longstanding internal disagreements have spilled into public view. The regime now faces simultaneous pressure: from a populace demanding change, from reformists within its own structure, and from hardening international sanctions. How it navigates this trilemma—through reform, intensified repression, or diplomatic maneuvering—will define Iran's trajectory in the coming months.

Voices from the Readers:

David Chen, Political Risk Analyst (London): "Rouhani's statement is less a call for reform and more a diagnosis of regime fragility. The hardliners' vicious response reveals their perception of existential threat. This isn't about policy tweaks; it's about survival."

Mariam Rostami, Expatriate Journalist (Toronto): "After years of silence, seeing these figures finally speak truth to power is bittersweet. It comes far too late for the thousands murdered. Their words must be followed by actionable alliances with the protest movement, not just rhetoric."

Robert Hayes, Former Diplomat (Washington D.C.): "The internal rift complicates the nuclear calculus. The U.S. must engage but avoid empowering the worst elements. The release of Soltani suggests some in the regime are sensitive to external pressure—a lever that must be used precisely."

Leila Zand, Human Rights Advocate (Berlin): [Emotionally] "They talk of 'reform' while bodies still lie in morgues? The entire apparatus is drenched in blood. Rouhani was president during earlier crackdowns—this is cynical repositioning. The world must stop negotiating with these killers and fully recognize the people's revolution."