Hassan Rouhani, the former president of Iran, said in his last words that "the achievement of the war should go beyond repelling a ground attack, to stable security, reduce the possibility of renewed aggression and return the country to the path of development."

This speech by Mr. Rouhani is in response to recent interceptions of his words about the night rallies.

Hassan Rouhani said, "His discussion was about the need for national goals to receive the support of the people, not to hold a referendum on defense against aggression."

Mr. Rouhani emphasized that his words were "distorted" and continued to say "I did not say the word referendum at all, nor the word referendum."

According to him, "Iran was not the initiator of the war, and when we are attacked, we must defend ourselves." This is one of the basic axioms."

The former president of Iran added, "The issue he is examining is that the long-term national goals to lead to Iran's power, wealth, peace, national unity and a higher status, need broad support from society." Mr. Rouhani recently called for an "honorable end to the war" and said: "Apparently there are people who hate negotiations."

IRNA