Former Iranian regime Prime Minister challenges Khamenei’s authority in rare post-ceasefire statement
Seventeen days after the ceasefire in Iran’s most recent 12-day war with Israel, former Iranian regime Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi—under house arrest since 2010—has issued a bold statement calling for fundamental political change in the country. Mousavi, a former high-ranking official of the Iranian regime, is demanding a national referendum to establish a Constituent Assembly tasked with rewriting the regime’s constitution.
In his message, released on Friday, July 11, Mousavi wrote:
“After what happened, the people have expectations from the government that the enemy will be pleased to see ignored. In the short term, swift and symbolic measures such as the release of political prisoners and a clear shift in the conduct of national media are the bare minimum.”
He further emphasized:
“Holding a referendum to establish a Constituent Assembly paves the way for realizing the people’s right to determine their own destiny and deters foreign enemies from interfering in our national affairs.”
Mousavi’s comments come after brief displays of national unity during the final days of the conflict. Political analysts say this statement signals the rapid emergence of internal contradictions within the Iranian regime, particularly among the so-called reformist wing, where deep fractures are becoming increasingly visible.
Mousavi, once a loyal insider, has remained under strict house arrest alongside his wife Zahra Rahnavard since the mass protests of 2009, which erupted after the disputed presidential election. His current statement is being viewed not only as a direct challenge to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s authority but also as a potential rallying cry for systemic change from within the regime’s own ranks.
The Iranian Resistance has long demanded an end to Mousavi’s house arrest. Since 2009, they have repeatedly called for the release of political prisoners and condemned the Supreme Leader’s repressive policies.
Observers note that Mousavi’s call for a referendum and constitutional change—once unthinkable from a former regime official—marks a significant turning point, highlighting the depth of the crisis within the ruling establishment.
