Tehran, Iran – In a new development that has raised widespread concerns on both human rights and political levels, the daughters of Mir Hossein Mousavi, one of the most prominent leaders of Iran’s Green Movement who has been under house arrest for many years, announced a sharp and serious deterioration in their father’s health. They confirmed that he underwent emergency surgery at a specialized cardiology hospital after suffering a severe heart condition. They also described his current health condition as “extremely critical.”
Rapid developments and official secrecy
This announcement comes days after unofficial reports surfaced about the deteriorating health of the 84-year-old Iranian opposition leader.
Ardeshir Amir Arjomand, an advisor to Mousavi, confirmed earlier this week that Mousavi had been hospitalized for several days in an attempt to address increasing medical complications.
Mir Hossein Mousavi and his wife, Zahra Rahnavard, 80, also a prominent leader in the Green Movement, are under strict house arrest.
Amir Arjomand, who resides in France, told Radio Farda last Monday that the residence where the two activists were being held was no longer “inhabitable” at all. This was due to the extensive damage it sustained in recent Israeli attacks on the Iranian capital, Tehran. He also indicated that their current place of detention was “unknown.” Furthermore, their detention conditions have become harsher and more difficult than ever before.
Harsh criticism of the government
In their latest letter, the daughters of the two leaders continued their sharp criticism of the Iranian government. They directly blamed President Masoud Pezeshkian for what they described as the government’s “ongoing neglect” and lack of serious attention to their fathers’ health and humanitarian conditions.
The letter also included a moving testimony from Zahra Rahnavard, who has been staying with her husband during his detention. In it, she revealed Mousavi’s ongoing suffering from alarming health problems.
Rahnavard confirmed that his condition is not good. She also indicated that she is forced to accompany him constantly when he moves within the confines of their place of detention to help him walk and maintain his balance. She fears that frequent bouts of dizziness and sudden fluctuations in blood pressure could cause him to fall. This could lead to physical injuries or new medical complications in the absence of adequate medical care.
These developments have reignited the debate surrounding the house arrest imposed on the Green Movement leaders since 2011, amidst international human rights calls for their release. Demands have also increased for them to receive proper and independent healthcare befitting their age and critical health conditions.
