Turmoil in Tehran

Khatami Calls for Referendum

Says Iranians have lost faith in government.

Reformists in Iran are continuing their fight: “Former President Mohammad Khatami has called for a nationwide referendum on the legitimacy of the government, saying Iranians have lost faith in their political leaders after last month's disputed election,” according to the Associated Press. "Durability of order and continuation of the country's progress hinge on restoring public trust," Khatami said. "From the start, we said there is a legal way to regain that trust. I openly say now that the solution to get out of the current crisis is holding a referendum." It is the latest challenge to the Ayatollah Khamenei, who alone holds the power to order a referendum. Khatami also proposed that a neutral body monitor the referendum instead of the Guardian Council, many of whose members have supported Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.