A First: VOA Interviews Iranian MP; Interview Could Prevent MP From Returning To Iran

For the first time, an Iranian MP has been interviewed by the Voice of America.

In the March 9 interview, MP Dr. Noureddin Pir-Moazzen harshly criticized the conservatives and the government of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for disqualifying many reformist candidates – including himself – for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Dr. Pir-Moazzen, who is also a surgeon, is currently in the U.S. for a medical conference.

Today, the Iranian news agency Fars reported that an Iranian regime source had said that Pir-Moazzen could be forced to seek political asylum in the U.S.

Conservative MP Elias Nadran attacked Pir-Moazzen for his interview with VOA, and said that parliament was not an abode for those spying for America.

Source: Fars, Iran; voanews.com/persian, March 11, 2008

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