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Sara Samavati

In an exclusive interview with Rooz, special advisor to former President Khatami, Saeed ‎Hajjarian, comments on the upcoming Majlis elections and the crisis over Iran's nuclear ‎program. Below is an excerpt from this interview. ‎

Rooz (R): Mr. Hajjarian, how much significance do you attach to the Eight Majlis ‎elections, in terms of its impact on social and political developments in Iran? ‎

Saeed Hajjarian (SH): If the current composition of lawmakers changes in the Eight ‎Majlis, it is possible to get closer to ideals of democracy, freedom, development and ‎peace - although this may eventually require a change in the composition of the ‎government as well. ‎

‎(R): It seems like the reformist minority faction in the Seventh Majlis is much quieter ‎than the conservative minority faction in the Sixth Majlis. What is the reason for this? ‎

‎(SH): The reason for the silence and lack of influence of the reformist minority faction in ‎the Seventh Majlis is the absence of leadership and the indifference of political parties to ‎the Seventh Majlis’s minority faction, since major reformist parties announced prior to ‎elections that they do not recognize the Seventh Majlis elections as legitimate. ‎

‎(R): What is the probability of a reformist victory in the eight Majlis elections? ‎

‎(SH): Many things could happen from now until the eight Majlis elections that can ‎change the environment. In my opinion, for example, a third UN resolution against Iran ‎can have a two-pronged effect on the country. ‎

‎(R): What is the possibility of a grand coalition forming among conservative forces?‎

‎(SH): If the reformists reach a grand coalition, the conservatives will also form a ‎coalition, and a two-sided election will occur. ‎

‎(R): Does the policy of “pressure from below, bargaining from above” still have a place ‎in reformists politics?‎

‎(SH): I have to say that the reformists did not use this tactic before. We still have a long ‎way to go before the reformists accept and implement this slogan. ‎

‎(R): Do you see any possibility for a limited or expansive military attack against Iran? ‎

‎(SH): Yes, even if the possibility is low, since the cost is high, we must be extremely ‎careful not to provoke. ‎

‎(R): Can Iran’s close relations with Russia be used as a shield against a possible US ‎military strike? ‎

‎(SH): The United States did not even seek permission from the United Nations or its ‎European allies, let alone Russia, when it attacked Iraq.‎