Tehran: Iran’s Guardian Council, responsible for overseeing elections and legislation, has approved six candidates to run for president in snap elections scheduled for later this month, following the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. This announcement was made by Iran’s State TV on Sunday.
The approved candidates include:
- Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the hardline parliament speaker and former Revolutionary Guards commander
- Saeed Jalili, a conservative and former chief nuclear negotiator who also managed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s office for four years
- Alireza Zakani, the conservative mayor of Tehran
- Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist lawmaker
- Mostafa Pourmohammadi, a hardliner and former interior minister
- Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, a conservative politician
Also Read | New Zealand to Introduce Bill to Reverse Oil and Gas Exploration Ban
The Election Office spokesperson announced the list on state TV, marking the official start of electoral activities for these candidates. The election is set to take place on June 28.
Also Read | China Accuses US of Provoking Arms Race in South China Sea
Notably, the Guardian Council disqualified hardline former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and former parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani, a prominent conservative, as reported by state media.
