Combatant Clergy Assembly: Rouhani Should Resolve House Arrest with Supreme Leader's Support

The Combatant Clergy Assembly, in a statement issued on the anniversary of the 1979 Revolution, has urged Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, to fundamentally resolve the house arrest of Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, two candidates who protested the results of the 2009 presidential election, by garnering the support of Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. According to a report on Saturday, February 11, by 'Kalemeh', a website close to Mousavi, the statement reads: 'It is appropriate for the esteemed President to fundamentally address the issue of house arrest and the pressures faced by many forces, which exacerbate tensions and create further distrust.' Mousavi, Karroubi, and Zahra Rahnavard, Mousavi's wife, have been under house arrest since February 2011 without trial. Political activists and human rights organizations have protested against the house arrest of these election protesters, arguing that it lacks legal basis, although it is said to have been ordered by the Supreme National Security Council. In this context, Ali Motahari, a member of parliament, has called on the Supreme National Security Council to address the situation of Mousavi, Karroubi, and Rahnavard and end their house arrest. Meanwhile, 'Saham News', a website close to Karroubi, reported on Saturday that, upon Rouhani's order, the issue of the house arrest of Mousavi, Karroubi, and Rahnavard will be on the agenda of the next meeting of the Supreme National Security Council. 'Saham News' noted that after 18 months of Rouhani's presidency, he has finally addressed the house arrest of Karroubi and Mousavi and Rahnavard, taking a significant step toward fulfilling his most important electoral promise. However, the spokesperson for the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, in an interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), emphasized the confidentiality of the council's meeting orders without mentioning 'Saham News' report, stating that only the secretariat of the council is authorized to publish its decisions and will inform the public as necessary. In another part of its statement, the Combatant Clergy Assembly called on Rouhani's government to make greater efforts to change the 'security' atmosphere in the media and universities. The statement reads: 'The esteemed government must exert more effort to meet the people's expectations and realize its slogans for transitioning from a security atmosphere to a safe and free political environment, especially in the media, academic, and social arenas, even though we all know the government faces obstacles and challenges and requires cooperation from other powers and institutions that have an impact.' The statement also addressed the issue of Iran's nuclear negotiations with six world powers, stating: 'Fortunately, the government is wisely pursuing the nuclear negotiations and, while seeking solutions to the problems that have inevitably arisen for our country and nation, it also insists on principles, values, and national interests.' The Combatant Clergy Assembly expressed hope that Rouhani's government would work towards resolving Iran's nuclear issue 'in a way that benefits all parties involved.'