Iran announced the approval of six candidates, mostly conservatives, for the upcoming June 28 election to succeed President Ebrahim Raisi, who tragically died in a helicopter crash. These candidates were selected from a pool of 80 hopefuls by the Guardian Council, the body responsible for overseeing elections in Iran.
Notable figures among the approved candidates include the conservative speaker of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and the ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, known for his rigid negotiating stance.
Only one reformist candidate, Massoud Pezeshkian, a lawmaker representing Tabriz, has been given the green light. Pezeshkian, 69, has been critical of the government’s transparency, particularly during the nationwide protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022.
Additionally, the conservative former interior minister, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, has been authorized to run. Other candidates include conservative Tehran mayor Alireza Zakaani and incumbent vice president Amirhossein Ghazizadeh-Hashemi, who heads the ultraconservative Martyrs’ Foundation. Zakaani expressed his determination to continue Raisi’s path in a social media post on Sunday. As per Iran’s electoral law, campaigning officially begins on Sunday and will continue until 24 hours before the elections.
Iran has announced the six candidates approved to compete in the upcoming June 28 election, following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. The candidates, mostly conservatives, were chosen by the Guardian Council from 80 hopefuls.
Among them are conservative figures like parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, as well as one reformist candidate, Massoud Pezeshkian. Former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was excluded, as were other notable figures like Ali Larijani and Vahid Haghanian. Four women who registered were also disqualified. The elections were brought forward after Raisi’s death, and Mohammad Mokhber has been serving as caretaker president.
The upcoming elections occur amidst regional tensions, including the Gaza conflict and diplomatic issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear program.
