V7N, June 11, 2024 - The final list of six candidates for the 14th presidential election in the Islamic Republic of Iran has been announced, with former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad notably excluded. Despite registering for the election on June 2 at the Election Commission headquarters in Tehran, Ahmadinejad's candidacy was rejected by the Guardian Council, which consists of Iran's religious leaders.

Ahmadinejad, who served as president from 2005 to 2013, had previously expressed a desire to return to the presidency in 2017 and 2021, but he was not allowed to participate in those elections due to conflicts with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It is believed that Ahmadinejad's exclusion this time is for the same reason. Despite his popularity among many Iranians, the Guardian Council has consistently blocked his candidacy.

The approved candidates, who generally have good relations with Khamenei, include:

1. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf - Conservative Speaker of Parliament.

2. Saeed Jalili - Ultra-conservative former nuclear negotiator.

3. Alireza Zakani - Conservative Mayor of Tehran.

4. Amir Hossein Ghazizadeh-Hashemi - Current Vice President and head of the Shaheed Foundation.

5. Mostafa Pourmohammadi - Conservative former Interior Minister.

6. Masoud Pezeshkian - The only reformist candidate, a lawmaker representing Tabriz in Iran's parliament.

The Ministry of Home Affairs officially announced the names of the six candidates on June 9. A total of 80 politicians had registered for the election, but only these six were approved by the Guardian Council after scrutiny.

Masoud Pezeshkian served as Minister of Health and Medicine under Mohammad Khatami's regime, while Mostafa Pourmohammadi was Minister of Justice in Hassan Rouhani's government. Saeed Jalili is a former chief nuclear negotiator and member of Iran's policy-making council. Alireza Zakani, the current Mayor of Tehran, and Sayed Amir Hossein Kazizadeh Hashemi have both previously served as members of parliament. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the former Mayor of Tehran, is the current Speaker of the Parliament.

The election process commenced following the tragic deaths of President Ibrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian in a helicopter crash on May 19. According to the Iranian Constitution, a new president must be elected within 50 days if a president dies or becomes incapacitated.

The election campaign will start on June 12 and will continue until June 27. The presidential election will be held in Iran on Friday, June 28.

 

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