Mahdi Karoubi in a Meeting with Reformist Youth

Date: Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Source: Kalemeh

In a meeting with the reformist youth, Hojatoleslam Mahdi Karoubi congratulated the coming of holy month of Ramadan and said: “Despite being very close to this holy month of compassion, unfortunately we have to bear witness to increasing pressure on the people. These authorities, as if our people did not face enough problems in their lives already, interfere even in the simplest matters like their funeral ceremonies. I have spoken to this problem on many occasions but it’s as if no one’s listening at all. Last of these interferences occurred at the funeral of Mr. Tatari who was a real and genuine Basiji who actually felt responsible for the people of nomadic tribes and helped them and in return they respected him back. But the ‘Sires’ that control everything cannot even bring themselves to respect people such as Mr. Tatari, they can’t help interfering with funerals.
… Continue Reading

Complete Text of Mousavi and Karroubi’s Press Conference

Source:  Kalemeh
Date: June 8, 2010

Moderator: We are approaching June 12th [22nd of Khordaad] and for the first time, we have the opportunity to hold a joint press conference with you two esteemed gentlemen.

Reporters from various ‘Green’ websites are present in this session to ask you their questions, and you will obviously reply with answers you deem suitable. But first, what would you like to say as introduction?
Mr. Mousavi: In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

I am honored to be accompanied by someone who has a long and persistent history of resistance for the Islamic Republic and am thus very glad to sit beside Mr. Karroubi, and also to be speaking with the Green websites and virtual media.

Mr. Karroubi: In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. … Continue Reading

Mahdi Karoubi: Complete Statement for the Anniversary of the Birth of the Green Movement

Source: SahamNews.org
Date: Sunday, June 20, 2010

To the great and honorable nation of Iran,

A year has passed since your spectacular presence during the 10th presidential elections.  Your enthusiastic participation was a sign of your desire to exercise your right to self-determination in the affairs of your country. However, based on a theory that considers people to be [mere] supporters of the government and the Velayat-e Faqih rather than its appointees – some have put forth their decisions and their votes as though they were yours.
… Continue Reading

Complete text of Mehdi Karoubi’s interview with Roozonline

Source: Roozonline
Date: June 9, 2010

Mehdi Karoubi, who was a candidate for the ninth presidential elections, describes going to sleep for a few hours and waking up to find Ahmadinejad’s name having miraculously emerged from the ballot boxes. As a result, Karoubi opted to stay awake during the tenth presidential elections, but the results were the same nonetheless. During the previous elections [9^th presidential election] he resorted to protesting and writing letters, but this time around he is standing with a nation that still asks “where is my vote?” so that he may also reclaim his vote. In his view, the individuals  who currently rule Iran act in an arbitrary and despotic manner. … Continue Reading

Complete text of Karoubi’s important remarks on commemoration of the 21st anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Khomeini

Source: Saham News – Official National Trust Party News Website
Date: June 4, 2010

We approaching the anniversary of Imam [Khomeini.] As usual we wanted to hold speeches, organize rallies and travel to the provinces. Unfortunately, last year’s election and the unseen cases fraud had series of unfortunate incidents for our country. I believe, like many others, that the mood that those events had set are going to continue and disrupt the usual ceremonies for the anniversary of departure of Imam. Of course, presence of people on that magnificent day is great and very important, but events that followed after the election has definitely left their stain on these ceremonies. For example, there were three nights of programs every year. This year, there’s only one day limited to a Friday prayer. We see that the rest of the programs are organized by … Continue Reading

Karoubi Condemns Israel attacks on Gaza Flotilla

Source: Saham News – Official National Trust Party News Website
Date: May 31, 2010

In the name of God, the Merciful and the Compassionate

Zionist regime’s inhuman act of attacking the humanitarian aid convoy to Gaza caused great sorrow around the world. This behavior is caused by the Zionist regime’s inhuman and unjust nature. This regime has become so weak that it fears the smallest humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. This act will further weaken the regime and make it despisable in the international community.

I hereby condemn this action and ask the international community, human right organizations, and the security council to take a clear stance against this inhuman regime and make practical decisions in condemning and punishing it for these actions.
… Continue Reading

Karoubi’s Interview with Jaras

Source: Sahamnews
Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Mir Hossein Mousavi , Mehdi Karoubi and Mosen Rezaie , the three candidates of June 2009 Iran presidential election were among many people who faced with irregularities in vote counting procedures and expulsion of their representative from polling stations objected to the official results announced by Ministry of Interior. Among them Mohen Rezayi withdrew his protest when Supreme Leader approved the election process and the results. However since last year Mr Karoubi and Mousavi have maintained their positions and have not recognized Ahmadinejad as the legitimate president of the country.

In the course of last year, positions and views of Mr Karoubi and Mousavi , the leading figures of Iran’s protest movement were only published through statements, speeches, meetings and interviews with reformist websites inside Iran and number of foreign journalists. For unknown reasons so far neither Mr Mousavi nor Mr karboui have had an interview with an Iranian media outside Iran.
… Continue Reading

Karoubi’s Open Letter Commemorating Teachers’ Day and International Workers’ Day

Source: SahamNews , Kaleme
Date: Friday, April 30, 2010

Kaleme reports that Mehdi Karoubi has issued an open letter commemorating Teachers’ Day and International Workers’ Day. In the same text he criticized the country’s state of affairs both culturally and economically, by asking: “Is the militarization of the economy that is proposed under Article 44 of the Islamic Constitution [an article that encourages the privatization of government-owned companies] really for the benefit of our workers?”

The text of his letter is as follows:

… Continue Reading

Mousavi-Karoubi Meeting: Request of Permit for Demonstrations on June 12

Source: Kaleme
Date: Tuesday, April 27, 2010

According to reports by Saham News Agency, the official agency for the National Trust Party, Mahdi Karoubi met with Mir Hossein Mousavi in Karoubi’s residence. Karoubi wished a good and dignified year for Mir Hossein Mousavi and for people of Iran. He prayed the almighty to provide the grounds for freedom of political prisoners.

Most of the legislations in the country are aimless, and merely for the sake of legislating something

Mir Hossein Mousavi criticized the policies underway and said: “most of our policies are unplanned and aimless. Unfortunately, our frameworks are like sand holes that cannot hold even a drop of water. Currently we do not have a clear and concise frameworks or plans. We must think more long term. The conditions in the government are such that everyone is assumed a conspirator and officials suffer from illusions of conspiracy. … Continue Reading

Karoubi’s message on the New Year

Source: Saham News
Date: Friday, March 19, 2010

In the Name of God, the Compassionate and the Merciful,

I extend a happy new year to all Iranians both inside and outside Iran. I offer my good wishes to other Farsi-speaking nations, and anyone else who celebrates Nawruz. I pray to God for greatness, independence, freedom justice and prosperity.

Unfortunately, the previous year was not a good one. People felt the economic pressure in their daily lives via inflation. We also witnessed an enthusiastic voter turnout in the millions, [yet when this crowd] voiced peaceful criticism, officials responded violently instead of listening to the demands expressed. [Many were] tortured and others were martyred on the streets. Journalists were detained in unprecedented numbers. Media and newspapers were restricted, and demands [for rights] were not met. These bitter incidents were a result of the misbehavior of those who did not follow the rule of law, and who did not consider what was best for the establishment. … Continue Reading

Mehdi Karroubi’s Statement Regarding the Events of 22 Bahman

Source: SahamNews
Date: Monday, February 22, 2010

I deeply appreciate the huge turnout on the rally for the 22^nd of Bahman[1] despite all the security pressure and the restrained political atmosphere. The ceremonies this year were held at a time when all political factions, prominent figures and grand Ayatollahs had invited people to participate in the hopes of moving toward a resolution to the current crisis. … Continue Reading

Mousavi and Karoubi: We Will Address the People Shortly

Source: Kaleme
Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010

Last night, Mehdi Karoubi met with Mir Hossein Mousavi for two hours. They praised the people’s peaceful demonstration on February 11th (22 Bahman) and criticized those who wanted to exploit the presence of different social groups for their political agenda.

During this meeting they also criticized the violent extremists of Tehran and other major cities – extremists who obstructed the peaceful demonstration using violence. According to Mousavi and Karoubi, these extremists are responsible for the complete militarization and environment of fear that appeared for the first time in thirty years, on a day that belongs to every Iranian – a day celebrating the victory of the Revolution. … Continue Reading

Mehdi Karoubi Statement regarding 22th of Bahman [31st anniversary of the revolution]

Source: Sahamnews
Date: February 3, 2010

In the name of God, most gracious, most merciful
[To the] great and proud people Of Iran,

We are close to 22th of Bahman [February 11th] , the anniversary of the victory of the glorious Islamic revolution under Imam [Khomeini]‘s leadership. I want to commemorate this day and express my respect to the martyrs who wanted freedom and independence as well as an Islamic Republic and, as a servant of the people who has been actively present during the ups and downs of the last half-century, put forward some issues with you, who are the main possessors of the revolution, establishment, and country. I hope that those who are currently in charge would take note of these issues rationally, justly, and without taking political inclinations and commitment to various groups, parties, and branches into account. Particularly considering that Mehdi Karroubi has now reached an age where his actions cannot be dismissed on the account of underlying political intentions and as an attempt at acquiring political power and material benefits. If I were after that, I would have sought a peaceful life, let go the reins of the wild camel of Iranian politics, and said nothing of people’s rights and struggles; … Continue Reading

Interview with Hossein Karroubi and Alireza Namvar Haghighi

by  Maryam Mohammadi

Source: Radio Zamaneh
Date: January 26, 2010

On Monday, January 25th [2010] a sentence was quoted from Mehdi Karroubi on almost all foreign and domestic media outlets. In response to the pro-government Fars news agency’s reporter who had asked “Do you recognize the current president as the legally elected president of Iran?”, Karroubi had [allegedly] replied positively. This response was reflected in different outlets with varying accompanying explanations.

We first hear what happened from the perspective of Hossein Karroubi, Karroubi’s son, and then in an interview with AliReza Namvar Haghighi, Canadian-based professor and political analyst, we discuss the effect of Karroubi’s recent position about the government on the ongoing resistance movement that has broken out after last year’s elections in Iran.

Here are Hossein Karroubi’s explanations about the incident: … Continue Reading

Karoubi’s letter in Response to Ayatollah Yazdi’s speech

Date: Saturday, December 15, 2009
Source: Tagheer

On Monday, Mohammad Yazdi, chairman of the society of religious scholars of Qum seminary and one of the former heads of judiciary branch insulted reformist leaders in an manner unseen before. He specially slandered Mr. Karoubi. He considered Karoubi’s reports [of rape, murderer and other atrocities] as jokes and said: “I am saddened that a person who dresses himself like a clergy has turned into a big joke in our society, and now they call him the Sheikh (Sage) of reformist movement.” Further he alluded to Karoubi’s recent trip to seminary city of Qom and said: “God knows what would have happened to him if there weren’t people to guard him [from the angry crowd.]” In this context, Karoubi has responded in an interview published by Tagheer, the website of the party he leads, National Trust. Here’s a complete letter as published by Tagheer.

Ayatollah Yazdi!

Regarding your recent speech to the crowd of religious missionaries in the city of Qum, I would like to respond with two remarks, and two reminders. … Continue Reading