Former Iran President Hassan Rouhani argued that if the majority of the people want it, the war should be ended. He also effectively proposed putting the question of ending the war to a national referendum.
On the 8th, according to the British daily the Telegraph, former President Rouhani said at a recent event, "What matters most is that we first clearly define the framework of our national goals and present it to the people," adding, "If the people accept it, we will willingly continue the war, and if not, is there any reason we should not accept that?"
Although he did not use the word referendum himself, Iranian media interpreted this as in effect a call for a referendum vote. Under Iran's constitution, with a vote of the parliament and the supreme leader's approval, a referendum can be held on very important legislation, national issues, and constitutional amendments. Immediately after the Islamic Revolution, in 1979, referendums were held twice during the establishment of the Islamic Republic system, and in 1989 a referendum was held on constitutional amendments related to adjusting the powers of the supreme leader.
Rouhani also said, "To rebuild war damage and give hope to young people and investors, we should end the war with honor in line with the will of the majority," noting, "The very small number now grabbing microphones and making a fuss does not represent the overall public sentiment in Iran."
Serving as president from 2013 to 2021, Rouhani played a major role in achieving the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). He is one of the politicians representing Iran's moderate pragmatist camp, and when the nuclear deal was effectively scrapped in 2018 by the unilateral withdrawal of U.S. President Donald Trump, he became a target of hard-liners in Iran.
Regarding the remarks, Iran's hard-line Fars News Agency criticized them as "not words born of mere ignorance but from someone who knows exactly what he is saying," calling them "dangerous remarks that can never be overlooked."