Iran News Round Up - August 18, 2017

Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Chairman Tigran Sargsyan stated that Iran and the EAEU will sign a temporary free trade zone agreement in October 2017. The EAEU is an international economic union that includes: Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. (Mehr News Agency) (E)

The body of Fatemiyoun Brigade member Mohammad Qassemzadeh arrived in Najafabad, Esfahan Province, prior to his burial on August 20. Qassemzadeh was reportedly killed in Syria. (Mehr News Agency)

• Two Fatemiyoun Brigade members were buried in Tehran on August 16. (Defa Press)

Armed Forces General Staff chief IRGC Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri restated his opposition to Iraqi Kurdistan’s independence referendum following a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two parties discussed education cooperation, border control, and combating smuggling and “terrorism” on their borders. Bagheri stressed that “from both countries’ perspective… [the referendum] will spark the foundations for tension and conflict within Iraq, the implications of which will affect neighboring countries.” (Fars News Agency)

• IRGC Cultural and Social Deputy and former Basij Organization Commander Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naghdi referred to the referendum as “a new plot by Iran’s enemies.” Naqdi indicated that the U.S. efforts to use the referendum to promote further instability would fail. (ISNA)

Reformist-backed Omid parliamentary faction member Qassem Mirzaei Nekou stated that “the majority of the faction members’ opinion on most of the cabinet ministers is positive.” He added that “it is likely that the majority of the proposed ministers will be able to gain the support of the faction’s members.” (Tasnim News Agency)

Proposed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi denied claims by the Centre for Human Rights in Iran that he had engaged in the interrogation and audio surveillance of Green Movement activists during his time at the Intelligence Ministry. Jahromi tweeted that “my job has never been interrogation or technical advice or home surveillance. I will follow up these accusations.” The Intelligence Ministry issued a statement in support of Jahromi. It accused “certain dubious movements” of publishing “false news and accusations” and attempting to “inflame” Iranian society. (ILNA) (Tasnim News Agency)

Parliament vetted proposed Defense Minister Artesh Brig. Gen. Amir Hatami, and proposed Justice Minister Ali Reza Avaei on August 17.

• On Hatami: Conservative Amir Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi stated that “many of my friends in the IRGC have contacted me with regard to expressive approval of [Hatami]... as their Artesh brother.” Conservative Ahmad Amirabadi added that Hatami “has a total command and complete understanding” of matters relating to the Defense Ministry.
• On Avaei: Parliamentarians noted Avaei’s experience in the Judiciary. Akbar Ranjbarzadeh stated that “Avaei is familiar with social issues in the judicial sphere and he has experience and expertise” in the field. (Fars News Agency)

Reformist Green Movement leader Mehdi Karroubi was transferred to a hospital late on August 16 following his declaration of a hunger strike earlier that day. President Hassan Rouhani dispatched Health Minister Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi to speak to Karroubi in hospital and negotiate the terms of his hunger strike. Karroubi’s son Mohammad reported that Karroubi agreed to stop his hunger strike in exchange for the removal of security officials from his home. Mohammad Karroubi also stated that the government promised to attempt to secure Karroubi a public trial. Karroubi has been under house arrest since 2011 for his part in the 2009 Green Movement. (Twitter)

• Reformist former President Mohammad Khatami spoke with Karroubi’s family and issued a statement on Karroubi’s condition. He commented that “unfortunately the matter is out of my hands.” Khatami added that “the very least expectation of Mr. Rouhani now is that he gets involved in the matter quickly.” Khatami stated that it was “with the help of Rouhani himself” that he was able to free former Deputy Supreme Leader (and opponent of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri from house arrest in 2003. (Shabtab News)
• Reformist-backed Omid parliamentary faction Spokesman Bahram Parsaei stated that “our main issue is the discussion of Mr. Karroubi’s health as well as the principle of [his] house arrest.” He added that the faction will “pursue this matter until its solution.” (ILNA)
• Hassan Khomeini, a grandson of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, referred to Karroubi as “our brother and great master” and added that he hoped “that God willing, attempts [to repeal his house arrest] will see some results.” (ILNA)