First-Time Publication - Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani: The Leadership Decided to Support Them (the Ninth Government). Sometimes, when they saw that I was making heavy statements, they would say: It is not like that; people come and provoke you.

Hashemi stated:
"The negative point started with the Ninth Government. It is all clear to me who they were and what they did to bring such a person in, and then his associates gradually became known. I felt it was my duty to come and prevent the hands of unworthy individuals from being unleashed.

Unfortunately, at some point, continuing my work became difficult for me.

The leadership decided to support them, and consequently, many other gentlemen also got involved, making statements that we are not willing to say to many of the great figures close to the Prophet. At least I, and of course others, recognize their responsibilities.

I do not consider it expedient to confront the leadership. In the past years, he sincerely and seriously supported the government, and I always discussed with him. However, he expressed his opinions, and sometimes when he saw that I was making heavy statements, he would say: It is not like that; people come and provoke you." (2011)