Letter stirs controversy in Iran ahead of elections

The revelation that 15 members of the Iranian government cabinet sent a letter to the Guardian Council supporting Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili, who has applied to run in the presidential election, has sparked controversy in the country.

A photograph of the letter, in which 15 members of the government cabinet declared their support for Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Esmaili, was published in the national media.

The 15 government members who signed the letter sent to the Guardian Council—which reviews the applications of those wishing to run in the elections and determines the final list of candidates—state in the letter that they "trust in Esmaili's political and administrative capabilities and qualifications."

A portion of the letter reads: "We believe that he (Esmaili) possesses sufficient skills to lead the future government in the path of serving the revolutionary government of the late Ayatollah Raisi."

The letter, which bears the signatures of many ministers including Vice President Mohsen Mansouri, Vice President for Women and Family Affairs Ensieh Khazali, Minister of Energy Ali Akbar Mehrabian, and Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri, does not contain the signature of interim President Mohammad Mokhber.

While the emergence of the letter has led to controversy, the conservative news site "Rajanews," which supports Esmaili, argued that such letters have been sent to the Council by prominent political figures in previous years and that it is a natural situation, but that it was reflected to the public this time due to the mischief of certain media outlets.

The "Khabaronline" website, known for its proximity to former Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, who also applied for the election, presented the news under the headline, "The strange act of some government members."

Following the discussions, an unnamed official speaking to Iran's official news agency IRNA said, "This letter was prepared solely to be presented to the esteemed members of the Guardian Council, confirming the qualifications of one of the election candidates. Its publication in the media has no basis."

The official stated that "legal action" would be initiated as a result of the letter being published in the media in an "unlawful" manner.

THE COUNCIL WILL ANNOUNCE THE FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES

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

In this context, 80 individuals had applied for candidacy, including 46 conservatives, 16 independents, 13 reformists, 3 moderate conservatives, and 2 from the Spring Movement (Ahmadinejad group).

The Guardian Council, which has previously vetoed many prominent names, will decide whether those who applied for candidacy are "qualified" to participate in the election.

The candidates' campaign process will begin after the Council announces the names that will participate in the election on June 11.

Among the most notable names who applied for candidacy were former Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, former Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili, former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and former Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri.

Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Esmaili had also applied for candidacy.