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Mehdi Karroubi pictured in 2009 when he was the Iranian parliaments speaker. Photograph: Damir Sagolj/Reuters

An Iranian opposition leader who has been under house arrest for six years has ended a hunger strike after the government agreed to remove intelligence agents from his home.

However, Mehdi Karroubis demand to be tried for his supposed crimes appears no closer to being granted. He has not been charged with any offence since being placed under house arrest in 2011.

The 79-year-old Shia cleric stopped eating and drinking on Wednesday morning and was taken to hospital on Thursday due to high blood pressure.

His son Mohammad Hossein told the reformist Jamaran website that Karroubi met the health minister, Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi, on Thursday and secured promises that convinced him to end the hunger strike.

Sahamnews, a website linked to the Karroubi family, said the government had promised to remove the agents from his home.

Karroubi and the fellow reformist politician Mir Hossein Mousavi were candidates in Irans disputed 2009 presidential election, which sparked months of mass protests over claims the polls were rigged in favour of hardline incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Both were placed under house arrest in 2011 for their role in the protests, which were brutally put down by the regime.

The former president Mohammad Khatami, the figurehead of the reformist movement who has been banned from appearing in the media since the protests, said there was nothing he could do to secure a trial.

The fact that I cannot do anything to remove these worries makes me even more sad, he told Karroubis son, according to Sahamnews.

Karroubis wife, Fatemeh, told Sahamnews this week that his first demand was the removal of intelligence ministry agents and security cameras that had been recently installed in their home, which she said has no precedent before or after the [1979 Islamic] revolution in any house arrest.

Second in case of continuation of the house arrest, they should arrange a public trial, she said. Karroubi does not expect a fair trial but wants it to be public and would respect the verdict, she added.

In March, Hossein was sentenced to six months in prison for propaganda against the regime after he published a letter that his father had written to Irans current president, Hassan Rouhani, calling for a trial.

Karroubis failing health he underwent a heart operation this month poses a potential problem for the Iranian regime, with fears that any deterioration could lead to renewed protests. He remained in hospital on Friday.

Rouhani, considered a political moderate, was re-elected in May after rallying reformists and vowing to win the release of Mousavi and Karroubi.

But the hardline judiciary chief, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, played down the likelihood of Rouhanis promises shortly after the election. Who are you to end the house arrest? Larijani said in May.

Link:
Iran reformist leader Mehdi Karroubi ends hunger strike - The Guardian

Well, well, well, it looks like Saudi Arabia is finally realizing that its impulsive strategies and ill-conceived policies are not working in its favor. Who ever thought that in an era of arrogant chest pounding the desert kingdom would reach out to Iraq to mend relations between Riyadh and Tehran? But that is exactly what happened few days ago.

The Iraqi TV channel Alghadeer reported that Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the impulsive crown prince who once said that he would take the fight to Iran, reached out to Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, requesting that al-Abadi lead a mediation effort with Iran.

Why this sudden change of heart from Saudi Arabia? The answer lies in not only the Middle Easts complex political dynamics, but also the kingdoms declining regional political clout. Let us, then, not fall for the Saudis empty promises, false indications, and misreading.

The kingdoms demand for Iraq to act as a mediator to mend Saudi Arabias relations with Iran shows that the desert kingdom realizes a pragmatic political truth: Rather than fight Iran on all fronts, it makes sense to reestablish relations, to work together (though on the surface only) to resolve regional issues (Syria, Yemen, Iraq, etc.), and to find a common ground on oil prices.

Another explanation is that Saudi Arabia wants to accelerate the inevitable political changes that will speed across the region once the Syrian conflict is resolved (if ever), tensions in Yemen subside, the blockade of Qatar gets lifted, and oil prices stabilize. My guess is that someone is advising the Saudi leadership not to lock horns with Iran because China and Russia will work behind the scenes to pull the two nations apart (as a favor to Iran). Mind you that it is in the interest of both China and Russia that conflicts in the region persist. That way, both countries, Russia and China, can realize greater opportunities to multiply their economic and political footprints in the region, to influence the internal affairs of the Middle East.

Irony: there are those in the Middle East who argue that the reestablishment of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia will bring stability to the region. I have to disagree with their assessment. The reason is that the desert kingdoms initiative stems from fear of losing its leadership in the regionwhatever is left of itin the face of Irans growing influence. One does not have to look far to see, for instance, how Muqtada al-Sadr, a Shiite and an anti-American figure who commands a large following among the urban poor of Baghdad and the southern cities, is visiting the Gulf region while the dispute between Qatar and a Saudi-led bloc persists.

Of note: Shia-majority Iraq lies on the fault line between Shia Iran and Sunni-ruled Arab Gulf monarchies that include Saudi Arabia.

As I argue in my forthcoming book, Saudi Arabia: Islam, Corruption and the Hidden Truth, the future of Saudi Arabia will change as it settles into the regions geopolitical shift. That landscape is one in which (a) Irans influence continues to grow, and (b) Saudi Arabia pursues unsound foreign policies while domestic discontent (high unemployment) grows. Thus, Saudi Arabias desire to repair relations with Iran is a strategic move and has nothing to do with Islamic brotherhood or any other slogan. . . .

By the way: Did the desert kingdom receive the blessing of the religious establishment to repair relations with Iran? No doubt. To my knowledge, nothing can proceed in Saudi Arabia, from a policy perspective, without the blessing of the hardline conservative religious establishment. It leads me to wonder how Mohamed bin Salman intends to approach religious issues. Thus far, MBS has treated the religious establishment as allies against radicalism rather than as cultural adversaries. I find MBSs argument that extreme religious conservatism in Saudi Arabia is a relatively recent phenomenon, born in reaction to the 1979 Iranian revolution, absurd.

My sense is that the desert kingdom (the royal family) is worried more about its survival and domestic stability. Thus, shifting the conversation and diverting attention could be a good strategy. However, if the people of Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Khobar, and Qatif among others, were to unravel, combined with ongoing issues in the Shia eastern province, things could quickly take a different turn. In that case, Iran stands to benefit from a destabilized Saudi Arabia. An unstable Saudi Arabia would pave the way for Iran not only to increase its influence in Iraq, Yemen, and Syria even further than it already has, but also to start working on other Gulf States, including Bahrain and Kuwait.

That scenario sends chills down the spines of some observers in Sunni circles.

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Saudi Arabia Rushes To Mend Relations with Iran - HuffPost

Jason Dasey and John Wilkinson discuss Son Heung-Min and Ki Sung-Yeung's call-ups for South Korea and their race to be fit. Jason Dasey and PJ Roberts break down Thailand's resilient 1-1 draw with the UAE in World Cup Qualifying.

Manchester United legend Park Ji-Sung has called upon South Korea fans to get behind their team against a "European" Iran in a vital 2018 AFC World Cup qualifier in Seoul on Aug. 31.

Coach Shin Tae-Yong called up English Premier League stars Son Heung-Min and Ki Sung-Yeung in his first squad on Monday. Games in the K-League have been cancelled on the weekend of Aug. 27 and 28 to give Shin more time with his players.

While Iran have already booked their spot in next year's tournament as they sit seven points clear at the top of Group A, the Koreans' grip on the second automatic qualification spot is tenuous.

Victory at Seoul World Cup Stadium will see Korea book a place at a ninth successive World Cup if Uzbekistan, a point behind in third, lose in China.

Otherwise, the Taeguk Warriors will travel to Uzbekistan for the final group game on Sep. 5, needing a result.

"In this situation, the players will feel heavy pressure," Park, who retired from the national team in 2011 after 100 appearances, told the Korea Football Association's official homepage on Thursday.

"But if they're national team players, they need to overcome the pressure and show their abilities."

A big crowd is expected in the capital for the visit of Iran. Fans have been disappointed by the team's performances of late. South Korea have lost three of the last four qualifiers.

Coach Shin, who led Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma to the 2010 AFC Champions League title, was appointed in July after the sacking of Uli Stielike.

"Football fans can criticise the national team, considering the results and performances that it showed, and the players are not free from this situation," Park added.

"However, I hope fans can cheer for our national team, and give them support at least in those two matches."

The Koreans have a poor record against Iran of late, losing their last four meetings. Park scored home and away against Team Melli in qualification for the 2010 World Cup, and acknowledged that the visitors are formidable opposition.

"Iran is in Asia, but the players' physiques are more like Europeans," the four-time English Premier League champion said. "They play rough and powerful football, so that's why opponents have a hard time."

Only the top two from the group progress automatically to the 2018 World Cup, with third place having to negotiate a play-off route.

John Duerden covers Asian football for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter: @JohnnyDuerden.

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South Korea to feel pressure vs. 'European' Iran - Park Ji-Sung - ESPN FC

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iranian authorities have denied the appeal of a Princeton University student who had been convicted on espionage charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison, the university and his wife said on Thursday.

Xiyue Wang, a history doctoral student and U.S. citizen who was conducting dissertation research in Iran in 2016 when he was detained by Iranian authorities, was accused by Iran of "spying under the cover of research," a claim his family and university deny.

"Iranian authorities have denied Xiyue Wang's appeal of his conviction and 10-year prison sentence for espionage that he did not attempt or commit," Princeton University said in a statement. "We are distressed that his appeal was denied, and that he remains unjustly imprisoned."

It was not immediately clear when exactly Wang's appeal was denied. News of his detention in Iran and his 10-year sentence first came in mid-July.

"I am devastated that my husband's appeal has been denied, and that he continues to be unjustly imprisoned in Iran on groundless accusations of espionage and collaboration with a hostile government against the Iranian state," Wang's wife, Hua Qu, said in a statement on Princeton's website. "Our young son and I have not seen Xiyue in more than a year, and we miss him very much."

Iran had said Wang was an American spy.

Qu said she worries about Wang's health and well-being while he is in prison.

"We hope the Iranian officials can release him immediately so he can resume his studies at home and so that our family will be together again," she said.

A spokesman for Iran's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A State Department official declined to offer specific information on Wang's case, citing privacy concerns.

"We call for the immediate release of all U.S. citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families," the official said.

President Donald Trump has taken a hard line against Iran and his administration has vowed to counter what it sees as Iran's destabilizing policies in the Middle East.

Last month, the White House said Trump "is prepared to impose new and serious consequences on Iran unless all unjustly imprisoned American citizens are released and returned," though it did not specify what those consequences might be.

Reporting by Yeganeh Torbati; Editing by Phil Berlowitz

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Iran denies appeal of jailed Princeton student: university - Reuters

WASHINGTON Former Sen. Mark Kirk R-Ill., a strong foe of the Iran nuclear deal, will be honored Aug. 27 by an Illinois based pro-Israel PAC and next month will be speaking to a group in New York, United Against Nuclear Iran.

Until now, Kirk has kept a relatively low profile since his November defeat by Sen. Tammy Duckworth D-Ill.

Kirk will be honored at a fundraiser Protect Our Heritage PAC, at the Northbrook Hilton, with the keynote speaker Gil Hoffman, the chief political correspondent and analyst for the Jerusalem Post and a Chicago native.

The PAC has been a Kirk supporter for years.

There are many events that occur at the same time the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York takes place, and Kirk will appear at one of them, a forum hosted by United Against Nuclear Iran to examine the political and economic environment since the deal, a legacy item of former President Barack Obama, signed in 2015.

Others appearing at the day long forum include retired Gen. David Petraeus, former Gov. Jeb Bush, former Gov. Bill Richardson and former Ambassador Dennis Ross.

The rest is here:
Former Sen. Mark Kirk to appear at Iran nuclear deal forum in NYC - Chicago Sun-Times