Rouhani initially indicated his disapproval of the arrests on November 4. “Let us not go and arrest one person here, another there, based on an excuse and without any reason, and then make up a case and aggrandize it, and finally say this is an infiltration movement,” Rouhani said, in a speech commemorating the 36th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy seizure.
Rouhani warned against abusing guidance from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to further other personal or political goals. After the nuclear deal, Khamenei advised Iranians to be vigilant against U.S. economic, political and cultural influence. Rouhani admonished, “Some should not want to, God forbid, misuse these words and terminologies and accuse those who are opposed to us and drive them to the margins… We need to try to develop an accurate understanding of and implement what the Supreme Leader says. We should not let certain individuals use his words to score personal, collective and factional points.” In the past, hardliners have claimed that Rouhani’s government had breached Khamenei’s redlines.
- Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese national and permanent U.S. resident, is an information and communications technology expert. Invited by the government, he was in Tehran for a conference on business. He was detained on his way to the airport on September 18. He has since been was accused of espionage for the United States.
- Siamak Namazi, a Dubai-based consultant, was born in Iran but grew up in the United States and became a U.S. citizen. He attended Tufts University and Rutgers. The energy specialist has long held that Iranian-Americans could help foster rapprochement between Tehran and Washington. He was visiting family in Iran when he was arrested mid-October.
- Issa Saharkhiz,a veteran journalist and political activist, has been accused of “disrespecting the Supreme Leader,” trying “to overthrow the government,” and plotting “to hold mass demonstrations against the government.”
- Ehsan Mazandarani is the managing editor of the newspaper Farhikhtegan.
- Saman Safarzaie is a member of the editorial board of the monthly Andisheh Pouya.
- Afarin Chitsaz is a member of editorial board of Iran newspaper.
The journalists’ detention coincided with a conference organized by the Basij militia and described as “the first anti-American gathering after the nuclear agreement.” At the event, IRGC chief General Mohammad Ali Jafari warned that the United States is scheming to take advantage of negotiations and infiltrate Iran. “The enemy has started its work,” he said. On November 4, the IRGC announced the break-up of an American and British network behind a media campaign against Iran.