Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s adviser for religious and minority affairs, Ali Younesi, was summoned to the Special Court for Clergy over comments he made about Iraq and Iran forming a “natural union” due to their “inseparable” geography and culture. According to Tasnim News, after he was questioned, Younesi was released on bail. Though his case has not been sent to court, according to the prosecutor for the Special Court he is charged with “statements against national security.”
While Younesi said in his controversial March 8 address that “I don't mean we should remove our borders,” in discussing the historical and cultural ties between Iran and Iraq, he said, “Iraq is not only part of our civilization influence, but it is our identity, culture, center and capital.”
