For the second time in a month, Iranian media outlets published a photo of reformist leader Mehdi Karroubi meeting with Iranian political activists, ten years after he was put under house arrest.
The Saham News website hinted on Monday that authorities may remove the restrictions imposed on the reformist leader, quoting “observers” as saying that Karroubi’s meetings, which now include politicians after they were restricted to religious figures, signal good news.
In the past month, security authorities have loosenedtheir controls on the Iranian leader, allowing him to meet with friends and former associates.
He was put under house arrest along with Mir-Hossein Mousavi, another reformist voice in Iranian politics, on February 14, 2011, after they called for demonstrations in Iran.
The website said that Karroubi informed the reformist activists that his main concern remains the future of the country, reforms, and particularly the social and economic situation of Iranians.
“He also spoke about historic events to explain current developments in Iran in addition to local threats and problems,” Saham said, adding that his comments would be published soon.
The website also said that Karroubi met separately with reformist politician Gholamhossein Karbaschi and the editor-in-chief of a reformist newspaper.
Earlier this month, the Iranian leader met members of Etemad-e Melli Party.
Following the meeting, Esmail Dousti, one of the party members who was present in the meeting said the reformist leader had "stressed" that next year's presidential elections must be held with "great splendor" and that Iranian citizens should be enthusiastic participants in the voting process.
However, Karroubi refuted Dousti's account of his stance about next year's election, calling it "his own interpretation." He said his positions will only be expressed in writing or through family members.
