Author: Maziar Motamedi
Tehran, Iran – The snap presidential election in Iran is heading into a run-off next week after reformist-backed Masoud Pezeshkian and hardliner Saeed Jalili emerged as the top contenders but failed to secure a majority in a vote with a record-low turnout. Only 40 percent of more than 61 million eligible Iranians voted, marking a new low in presidential elections since the country’s 1979 revolution. The moderate Pezeshkian received over 10.4 million votes, trailed by former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili with 9.5 million votes. This historic election will see a run-off between the two leading candidates, with conservative Speaker of…
Tehran, Iran – With Iran’s presidential election approaching, the field of candidates has narrowed after two withdrawals, creating suspense as the fate of the election hangs in the balance as two strong candidates negotiate their positions. Out of 80 initial candidates, only six were approved by the Guardian Council, and the remaining contenders include Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Saeed Jalili, Masoud Pezeshkian, and Mostafa Pourmohammadi. A run-off on July 5 seems likely unless one of the leading candidates withdraws in favor of another. Who’s still running? Ghalibaf, Jalili, Pezeshkian, and Pourmohammadi are the main contenders, with each addressing key issues facing…
Conservative candidates approved for snap presidential election in Iran on June 28 Six candidates, including parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have been approved to run in the upcoming snap presidential election in Iran following the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. The Guardian Council approved former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani to run, while disqualifying 74 other candidates, including prominent figures like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Ali Larijani. The approved candidates represent a mix of conservative, moderate, and hardline factions of Iranian politics, with Ghalibaf, Jalili, and Zakani among the contenders. The upcoming…
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and others see an opportunity, but it remains unclear who will be qualified to run by the Guardian Council. Tehran, Iran – Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, along with other prominent figures like Ali Larijani and Saeed Jalili, have registered to run in the upcoming elections following the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash last month. Ahmadinejad, who served as president from 2005 to 2013, expressed confidence in his ability to address Iran’s domestic and international challenges. Despite facing disqualification in the past, he heeded the call of the people to run again. Other…
Ali Bagheri Kani, a seasoned political figure, has been appointed interim foreign minister in Iran following the tragic death of Hossein Amirabdollahian. Bagheri Kani, with a background in diplomacy and security, is an ideal choice to step in for Amirabdollahian, having served as his deputy for political affairs. From a conservative family deeply rooted in Iranian politics, Bagheri Kani has ties to prominent figures in the country, including his father, a former cleric, and his uncle, a former prime minister. Educated at Tehran’s Imam Sadiq University, Bagheri Kani has a strong background in economics. Close Ally of Jalili Bagheri Kani’s…
Mohammad Mokhber, the interim president of Iran, has taken on the role following a tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of late President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials. He was approved by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mokhber, appointed as Iran’s first vice president by Raisi in 2021, is a significant figure in Iranian politics. With a wealth of experience leading Iran’s charitable conglomerate, Setad, he now steps into the role of interim president until a new election is held within 50 days. As a close ally of the supreme leader and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Mokhber’s…
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter suffered a “hard landing” near Jolfa in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province. Despite extensive search operations amid poor weather conditions, Raisi’s whereabouts remain unknown. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed concern and urged the nation to pray for Raisi’s safe return. Raisi was returning from Azerbaijan when the incident occurred. Three helicopters were in his convoy, with two making it back safely. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others were on board with Raisi. Rescue efforts face challenges due to fog and rain in the Dizmar Protected Area where the crash is believed to have happened. The…