Wow, just wow.
The fact that SL Khamenei is openly acknowledging this is astonishing. It's a stark departure from his 2009 rhetoric of "Go home...or else". Also makes the SL appear more human and not an infallible figure.
To me, this represents a few things:
1.) SL Khamenei knows that the revolutionary fervor that has encompassed Iran since 1979 is softening, or is at the least, manifesting itself in a new form that the Iranian youth find acceptable.
2.) SL Khamenei, by saying this, understands that as 70% of the population is under the age of 33; the current status-quo of elder clerics shoving their interpretation of Islam down the throats of the Iranian populace will only lead to backlash.
3.) SL Khamenei is also realizing that the IRGC Intelligence's recent operations in collaboration with the judiciary and resulting 'Prison Suicides' is starting to piss people off, is undermining Rouhani (and hence the democratic pillar of the IRI), and is genuinely unjust. Could this lead to him reforming the judiciary? Sacking Larijani? Curtailing IRGC influence? Who knows.
4.) Finally, it shows that the culture of constructive criticism is making inroads in Iran, and that his previous statements of "I don't mind criticism", is now in full display and aren't simply being said as domestic rhetoric to calm a potential fiery domestic upheaval. Maybe Ahmedinajad's recent outburst also helped facilitate this.
He has openly stated that some people don't admire him, that the judiciary is lagging behind, and that "justice" must be served adequately. All this is a first from the SL.
IRI officials and leaders can be flexible; and often times, it's the most clean and genuine officials who are. The reason is simple: Iran is their only home. They (unlike corrupt officials who steal state money and buy homes in Canada) have nowhere else to go. So for them, when shit hits the fan, they will finally acknowledge the will of the people and act accordingly.
