Tehran, June 10, 2024 – Iran’s Guardian Council, which oversees elections and legislation, has approved six candidates to run for president in snap elections scheduled for later this month. This decision follows the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. The announcement was made on Sunday by Iran’s State TV.
The approved candidates are a mix of conservative and reformist figures, reflecting the broad political spectrum within Iran. Among those approved is Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the current speaker of Iran’s parliament and a former Revolutionary Guards commander. Also on the list is Saeed Jalili, a conservative who served as the chief nuclear negotiator and ran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s office for four years. Tehran’s conservative mayor, Alireza Zakani, is also a contender.
In addition to these prominent conservatives, the list includes Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist lawmaker known for his moderate views. Mostafa Pourmohammadi, a former interior minister, and Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, a conservative politician, have also been approved to run.
“With the announcement of the final list of candidates, their electoral activities start officially,” state TV reported.
However, the Council disqualified several notable figures, including former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Ali Larijani, a prominent conservative and former parliamentary speaker. The reasons for their disqualification were not disclosed by state media.
The snap election is set to take place on June 28, 2024, and the campaign period is expected to be brief but intense as the candidates vie for the highest office in the country amidst a backdrop of significant political and social challenges.
This election comes at a critical time for Iran, facing both internal and external pressures. The death of President Raisi has added an unexpected element of uncertainty to the political landscape, making the upcoming election particularly consequential for the future direction of the country.