Tehran,  (June 10, 2024) - The Guardian Council of Iran has released the official list of candidates approved to run in the upcoming presidential election, slated for June 28. Notably absent from the list is former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose candidacy has been rejected once again.

Among the six approved candidates, the most prominent figures include hardline parliament speaker Baker Qalibaf, former IRGC commander Saeed Jalili, and Tehran's mayor Ali Reza Zakani. Other contenders include reformist lawmaker Masoud Pezeshkian, former interior minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi, and conservative politician Amir Hossein Hashemi.

The election comes in the wake of the tragic death of President Ibrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan Province on May 19. The unexpected loss prompted the announcement of early elections, setting the stage for a new leadership transition in the country.

The exclusion of Ahmadinejad and the selection of a mix of hardline and conservative candidates reflect the complex political landscape in Iran, where various factions vie for power and influence. As the election approaches, the country braces for a contentious campaign season marked by competing visions for its future direction.