On the occasion of the celebration in Iran of the birthday of Imam Mahdi, the Twelfth Imam of Shi’a Islam, senior cleric Hojatoleslam Ali-Reza Panahian stated that voting in this year’s election could usher in the coming of the Imam by creating a more just world. Twelver Shi’a Muslims believe that Imam Mahdi exists on earth in a state of occultation, and will become visible to people once again at the end of time. Panahian comments have been labelled “odd” by the Iranian media, but they were in keeping with the theme of encouraging participation in the election, a central point in the Supreme Leader’s Nowruz address.
Ramin Mehmanparast Announces Candidature
Seasoned diplomat and current ambassador to Lithuania and Poland, Ramin Mehmanparast, today announced his intention to run for President. Mehmanparast has served Iran’s Foreign Ministry in various capacities over the years and will likely promote his strengths on foreign relations in his campaign. Mehmanparast is well known in Iran for his marriage to the famous actor, Maryam Kayvani.
Mohammad Abbasi announces Candidacy
Former Ahmadinejad minister Mohammad Abbasi today announced his intention to run. The former Minister of Sport is famous in Iran for overseeing one of the country’s most successful Olympic teams.
Raisi Once Again Rules out Race for the Presidency.
Ebrahim Raisi, seen as one of the most popular potential candidate and a favourite for the Principalist faction, has once again ruled out running for President. When asked if he would register, he stated that “I don’t think of anything other than the Judiciary”, in reference to his current position. As with another favourite Mohammad-Javad Zarif, Raisi has repeatedly denied he intends to run, but is still likely to change his mind.
Ahmadinejad Rallies Supporters at Religious Festival
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave a speech at a religious gathering to commemorate the birth of the Twelfth Imam in Narmak Square, close to his home. In a speech that resembled a rally, Ahmadinejad contrasted the Twelfth Imam’s infallibility and justice with the economic and political inequalities of the present time.
Kurdish Cultural and Sunni Leaders Endorse Jalili
A number of Kurdish academics, cultural, religious and economic leaders published an open letter calling on Saeed Jalili to run for President. Citing his war record in Iranian Kurdistan, and the need for a competent leader to face the country’s problems, the leaders from a number of Kurdish cities stated that Jalili was the best candidate.
Faezeh Hashemi: I Prefer to Debate Mr Khamenei
Faezeh Hashemi, one of the only women to declare intention to run, declared in an interview that she would prefer to debate the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on domestic politics, as opposed to other potential candidates. In the same interview, she also questioned the democratic intentions of both the Reformists and Principalists, and criticised the harassment of women by the Ansar-e Hezbollah group.
Rahami: I am the new-look Khatami
Reformist figure Mohsen Rahami declared if elected, he would be a “new look Khatami with new words”. Stating that if he was allowed to run, he would win 20 million votes, he added that his most important priorities beyond the economy were the protection of the rights of minorities and women.
Larijani More Suitable for Principalists than Reformists
Hossein Marashi, the head of the Reformist Executives of Construction Party, told IRNA that Ali Larijani would not be a suitable candidate for the Reformists as “we do not have a right wing”. Marashi was speaking in the context of speculation that the Reformists would back a popular non-Reformist candidate like Larijani or Mohammad-Javad Zarif. Marashi added that the Reformists will wait until the Guardian Council announces the approved candidates before backing a candidate.
Poll Suggests Victory for Hardliners
A new poll suggests that voters will pick a Principalist or other conservative candidate in this June’s election, while upwards to 70% of Iranians are dissatisfied with the government of Hassan Rouhani. The results of the poll were published in a conservative paper, Fars, which was ambiguous on its source.