Karrubi Calls for Normalization of Relations with the U.S. in Meeting with Aref

Mehdi Karrubi, a protester against the 2009 election results who remains under house arrest, called for the normalization of relations with the United States during a meeting with First Vice President Masoud Pezeshkian. Hossein Karrubi, the son of this political activist, stated on Friday, February 8, that his father has 'insistently' urged the government to 'normalize political relations with the U.S. and resolve issues and problems with the new U.S. administration.' According to Hossein Karrubi, his father emphasized that this action should be taken 'while preserving the dignity and honor of the country.' Mr. Karrubi also mentioned in this meeting that he has no demands regarding his own situation from the government of Masoud Pezeshkian and only wishes for the people to have a normal life like other countries. Mehdi Karrubi, 85, along with Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard, has been under house arrest since February 2011 by the order of Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. He and Mr. Mousavi led the protests against the results of the 2009 presidential election, known as the 'Green Movement.' The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic rejected negotiations with the U.S., stating, 'No problem will be solved through negotiations.' Karrubi's statements came just hours after a speech by the Supreme Leader, in which Ali Khamenei rejected negotiations with the U.S. regarding Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions. In his speech on Friday, February 8, to commanders of the Air Force and Air Defense of the Islamic Republic Army, he referred to Donald Trump's withdrawal from the JCPOA during his previous administration and the failure to lift sanctions, saying that negotiations with such a government 'have no effect on resolving the country's problems.' This comes despite Donald Trump, who has repeatedly expressed willingness to negotiate with the Islamic Republic, stating two days ago that the United States is seeking a verifiable nuclear agreement with Tehran that would allow the country to thrive peacefully. However, Ali Khamenei, in his recent remarks, stated, 'Do not pretend to us that if we sit at the negotiating table with that government, certain problems will be solved. No; no problem will be solved through negotiations with the U.S.' Iran and six world powers reached an agreement in July 2015 to resolve Iran's nuclear file, but Mr. Trump withdrew from this agreement in May 2018 during his first term and imposed severe sanctions on Iran, launching a 'maximum pressure' campaign against it.