Former commanders apply for presidential candidacy in Iran: Number of candidates reaches 12

On the third day of the application process for the presidential election to be held in Iran on June 28, former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Vahid Haghanian and reformist Tabriz MP Masoud Pezeshkian filed their candidacy applications.

Haghanian and Pezeshkian arrived at the Ministry of Interior on the third day of the application process to submit their bids.

Speaking at a press conference held afterward, Pezeshkian stated that public participation in the elections must be increased in the country.

Stating that he intends to implement the policies of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Pezeshkian said, "We must ensure cohesion and unity among all groups and factions to solve the country's problems."

Emphasizing the importance of entrusting tasks to those who are qualified without mixing politics into every issue, Pezeshkian said, "We must hand over the work to scientists, scholars, and qualified people."

Former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Vahid Haghanian, in his speech after the application, stated that his decision to run was "his own personal decision."

Expressing that he knows the country's problems very well, Haghanian said, "We must benefit from the collective wisdom of the people and utilize the country's capacities."

Former MP Ahmad Rasoulinejad also filed his candidacy, bringing the total number of presidential hopefuls to 12.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON JUNE 28

The presidential election in Iran, originally planned for 2025, was scheduled for June 28 in accordance with the Constitution following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19.

Those wishing to run in the election can submit their candidacy applications to the Ministry of Interior for a period of 5 days, starting from May 30.

The Supervisory Board affiliated with the Guardian Council will decide whether the applicants possess the "qualifications" to participate in the election.

According to the Constitution, the Council evaluates candidates for the Presidency, the Iranian Parliament, and the Assembly of Experts based on their "adherence to the values of the regime."

The candidacies of individuals who are found to have "flaws in their adherence to the office of the Supreme Leader (Velayat-e Faqih) represented by Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and to Islamic values" are rejected.

So far, the individuals who have filed candidacy applications include former Supreme National Security Council Secretary Saeed Jalili, former Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, former Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Vahid Haghanian, Tabriz MP Masoud Pezeshkian, independent Bafq MP Mohammad Reza Sabbaghian, Democracy Party Secretary-General Mostafa Kavakebian, Isfahan MP Abbas Moghtadaei, former MP Ghodrat Ali Heshmatian, former North Khorasan Governor Mahmoud Ahmadi Bighash, former Tehran MP Mohammad Khoshchehreh, and former MP Ahmad Rasoulinejad.

News Source: AA