In April, when experienced Reformist politician Mostafa Moein said, “I believe Mr. Rouhani needs a very strong think tank” to advise him on all issues, it did not stir up much reaction in the domestic media. However, now that Iran’s presidential election is only seven months away, the setting up of a Reformist think tank might be viewed as the Reformist faction's believing it is closing in on winning the presidency again.
The pro-reform Arman Daily’s interview with Moein, published Oct. 6 with the headline “Reformists within Rouhani’s think tank,” announced the unofficial think tank and said “the president is much too busy to set up an official think tank.”