Mehdi Motaharnia

Sheikh Nasser Naqavian: Those gentlemen who sit in the seminaries and issue fatwas should come with me to the classrooms and the streets!

Note: This episode of Simorgh, produced by Abdollah Abdi, was recorded before the Israeli attack on Iran.

Listen | Simorgh | Ethics, Future Governance, and Fiqh – a conversation between Mehdi Motaharnia and Sheikh Nasser Naqavian.

Sheikh Nasser Naqavian: If a jurist can advance their thinking to the level of the community’s intellectual leaders, the people will accept them.

In the Constitution, alongside the term “jurists,” the phrase “fully qualified” is also mentioned.

Listen: Simorgh | Economy, Justice, Hidden Collapse — a conversation between Mehdi Motaharnia and Dr. Hossein Raghfar on Abdi Media

Structural corruption, the banking system trapped in the grip of security institutions, and the education crisis; Hossein Raghfar warns bluntly in an interview that if military institutions and ruling foundations do not step aside from the economy, there will be no hope for the country’s political survival.

Sheikh Naser Naqavian: In Ayatollah Khomeini’s view, music was absolutely forbidden!

If our seminary cannot update itself, it is doomed to the same fate that priests and clergy of other religions have faced.

Sheikh Nasser Naqavian: We are not seeking a revolt or reform in the sense of a revolution; rather, we aim for a structural reform.

These people have seen enough blood and bloodshed; they cannot bear another disorder — in which the blood of innocents would be spilled.

Listen | Simorgh | Ethics, Future Governance, and Fiqh – A conversation between Mehdi Motaharnia and Sheikh Naser Naqavian

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Sadegh Zibakalam: If I see a reason to depart from [my beliefs], I will certainly do so.

The three words that will shape Iran’s future: abandoning resentment, hatred, and malice.

Sadeq Zibakalaam: Our biggest problem is understanding the developments in our own society!

Note: This season of the Simorgh program, produced by Abdullah Abdi, was produced before the Israeli attack on Iran.

The Right to Protest and Iran's Future Governance Model, Mehdi Motaharnia's Conversation with Hedayat Aghaei on the Simorgh Program

In a world where political order is being redefined, the key question is how reformism in Iran will have to do with the future;  Can it be the accelerator of change or will it become a deterrent?  Part of the community has passed through reformism in year 6, and this will undoubtedly affect the future of Iran and the future of politics in the country.

Sadegh Zibakalam: It matters who is the president

I wanted with all my being to prevent Jalili's presidency; because it was a continuation of the misery that started during Mr. Raisi's time.

Sadegh Zibakalam: I am against the overthrow, but I am seeking change with all my heart.

I am in no way saying that we must cling to this system with our claws and teeth!

Water Crisis and Natural Resources; A Conversation Between Environmental Activist Mohammad Darvish and Ataullah Ebrahimi, Director of the Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Institute

While natural resources can act as the cornerstone of a country's stability, their lack of proper management can lead to serious problems and even the collapse of the land.  To this end, today, with Dr. Ebrahimi, the head of the Institute for Soil and Watershed Management, we are discussing the effective challenges and strategies in the country's natural resource management.

Criticism of the young generation's narrative of the 1979 Revolution

Don't read more than two pages of the book to see what happened in 1979, you will only look at us with hatred and resentment.

Sadegh Zibakalam: If the Islamic Republic falls tonight, we have come out of the hole and fallen into the well.

After the fall of the Islamic Republic, our gaps will just explode and get out

Sadeq Zibakalam: We should not join the wave of hatred and grudges and say that we have no other choice but to overthrow!

Our society is influenced by four deep social divisions: cultural, religious, ethnic and financial divisions

Sadegh Zibakalam: In January 2017, some female students at Tehran University took off their headscarves for the first time.

With the anger I saw in the Basij's eyes, they might have shot female students if they had weapons

Sadegh Zibakalam: The overthrow of the cause of hatred and hatred of the Islamic Republic's system

I believe at least 5 % of Iranian people are dissatisfied with this system

Sadegh Zibaklam: When I say I disagree with overthrow, they say, "Do you see blindness?"

  What you have passed through this system, what have you done since year that this system has been closer to overthrow?

Sadegh Zibaklam: Some - like Mr. Mehdi Motaharnia - are mounted on this wave [which the system reaches the end of the line] and are careful not to find!

What if you say anything but overthrow, what have you done in the past few years?!

See: Simorgh | Intellectuals, Power and Stock of Republicanism in Iran Dialogue Mehdi Motaharnia and Sadegh Zibaklam

  Note: This season has been produced since the Israeli attack on Iran.

Hossein Salahvarzi: The private sector's share of the economy must increase

The task of the private sector all over the world is to make demands and provide solutions

Hossein Salahvarzi: The government should avoid competing with the private sector

A large part of the private sector also only wanted to earn a larger share after the revolution

Hossein Salahvarzi: Today's government itself cannot import the foreign exchange earned from oil sales!

The result of these interventions is a decrease in non-oil exports

Hossein Salahvarzi: The country is becoming worn out in all matters

The country's economic developments are such that you can't even make economic predictions for your own family!

Hossein Salahvarzi: We are not even close to the goals of the 2025 Vision Document!

Administrative corruption and lack of meritocracy have destroyed the motivation [of activity] in the country

Hossein Salahvarzi: The real value of the dollar is about 80,000 Tomans

(This program was recorded before the Twelve Days War)

Hossein Salahvarzi: Almost half of Iran's economy is in the hands of rent-seekers

In an opaque administrative system where there are golden signatures, these things also happen!

See: Simorgh | Economy and the Future of Governance, a conversation between Mehdi Motaharnia and economic activist Hossein Salahvarzi

Note: This episode of the program was produced before Israel attacked Iran

Tonight on Abdi Media: Simorgh | Intellectuals, Power, and the Deadlock of Republicism in Iran

Conversation between Mehdi Motaharnia and Sadegh Zibakalam

Hossein Raghfar: The conditions for the real participation of private sector and public capital must be provided.

As long as the economy lacks sufficient transparency, a real private sector cannot operate.

Hossein Raghfar: The only solution to the crises is to return to the people.

There is a solution; but the solution cannot exist within the current order — or disorder.

Hossein Raghfar: Housing is generally out of reach of the middle class

People have been excluded from the country's fundamental decision-making system.

Listen to | Simorgh | Economics and Future of Governance of Mehdi Motaharnia and Hossein Selahvarzi Economic Activist

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Hussein Raghfar: The continuation of the current situation is not possible and will lead to political collapse.

The lower classes have been removed from the country's policy agenda.

Hosein Raghfar: The main subject of governance today is the interests of oligarchs.

Today a significant portion of the country's population cannot go to school.

Hossein Raghfar: After the war, national resources and opportunities were distributed in a very unequal manner.

As we progressed further, these inequalities intensified and the gap between the people and the government widened.

Hossein Raghfar: Today, many of the generals from the war era are among the country’s largest capitalists.

In 2008, on a single day, eight new banks were established.

See: Simorgh | Economy, Justice, Hidden Collapse – Conversation between Mehdi Motaharnia and Dr. Hossein Raghfar on Abdi Media

Note: This episode of the program was produced before Israel’s attack on Iran.

Ali-Asghar Pourezzat: If the administrative system is placed under my control, I will eliminate lifelong employment.

If someone gave immeasurable slogans, I would reject his qualification for representation.