The story of Roxana Saberi, an American-Iranian journalist sentenced to eight years in prison after an Iranian court convicted her Saturday of spying for the United States, is both disheartening and unnerving — not only because, according to the State Department, the judicial process was not carried out fairly, but also because of the impact the decision could have on discussions between the Obama administration and Iran over the country's nuclear program.
In light of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's relatively positive response to President Barack Obama's move toward opening dialogue between the two countries over Iran's nuclear program, it seemed the case had the potential to yield a setback in relations between the two countries. Following the ruling, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said President Obama was "deeply disappointed" and the U.S. administration wanted the situation to be "remedied," according to an article published in the New York Times on Saturday.
On Sunday, Ahmadinejad asked Tehran's chief prosecutor to reexamine the case. The request was not only good news for those concerned with the welfare of Saberi but it was also promising news for an administration hoping to restore positive relations with a country that, for many years, was a crucial ally in that region of the world.
In a letter to Saeed Mortazavi, Tehran's chief prosecutor, the Iranian president urged the court to examine Saberi's case more closely. The Iranian court has received criticism for its handling of the case because it was conducted hastily — the case began April 13 — and behind closed doors. Although the country's constitution does not give Ahmadinejad power over the court — his letter may have no impact on the outcome of the case — his actions indicate that he may be softening his line on the human rights front.
And this can only be received as good news in Washington. While it's possible that Ahmadinejad may be altering his position in preparation for an election in which he will likely face a considerable amount of liberal opposition, the mere fact that he would intervene in support of Saberi indicates that the Obama administration might have just enough wiggle room to find common ground with the Iranian leader.
The Saberi case had the potential to create further division between Washington and Tehran, as the State Department vehemently condemned the ruling as baseless. Instead, it has the potential to establish common ground between Obama and Ahmadinejad.
