Jackson Grant – Page 2

Speculation that Clubhouse will be the Social Media of the Elections

The recent use of Clubhouse by Mohammad-Javad Zarif, and the migration of important political figures and influencers from Twitter and Instagram to the new social media platform has led to speculation that Clubhouse will play a key role in elections. The platform is currently popular among elites in Iran, but its “Rooms” function has the potential to be used as a substitute for rallies in times of COVID restrictions. Some media are speculating that it will have the influence of Twitter in the 2009 election, and Telegram in the 2017 election.

IRGC: Saeed Mohammad was Fired from Khatam al-Anbiya

An IRGC Political Deputy, Commander Yadollah Javani, today stated that Saeed Mohammad was dismissed from his command last month for misconduct. Mohammad, seen as a star candidate, had stated on March 9 that he had resigned his command to run for President, and had been unusually quite since the New Year on March 21. Mohammad’s announcement had drawn criticism from Iranians who believed that it was an intrusion of the IRGC on civilian politics, and this was reflected in Javani’s statement that “the IRGC is strongly opposed to the entry of the Revolutionary Guards into the election arena without going through the defined legal processes and processes”.

Ahmadinejad attends Meeting of Families of Martyrs

In Tehran, controversial potential candidate and former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended a meeting with the families of Iran-Iraq War martyrs from East Azerbaijan province. According to Ahmadinejad’s official Instagram account, these families bemoaned the poor leadership of the country and called upon Ahmadinejad to run for President and help solve the country’s problems.

See photographs on Instagram

Ahmadinejad East Azerbaijan war veteran

Ebtekar: “The elections will be another Referendum”

Masoumeh Ebtekar, the Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, on the 42^nd anniversary of the referendum creating the Islamic Republic stated on Twitter that then as now the Iranian people should be involved in all state decisions. Adding that the Presidential Elections will be another referendum, Ebtekar was supporting President Rouhani’s repeated statements that deadlocks in government should be resolved through referendum.

Zarif again Denies He Will Run

During a Clubhouse social media event organised by cabinet minister and potential candidate Mohammad-Javad Azari-Jahromi, Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif again denied that he will run for president. When asked about his position on running for presidency, Zarif responded: “my latest position is no different from my first – I am not a candidate”.

Rouhani says Low Turnout Would Signal an End to the Revolution

Outgoing President Hassan Rouhani stated when addressing a cabinet meeting that if Iranians do not believe that their vote has any meaning, then the Revolution will have effectively ended. Rouhani then called upon the country to repeat the “Twelfth of Farvardin”, referring to the Referendum that ended the monarchy and established the Islamic Republic in 1979, which had an official turnout of 98.2%

Motahari denies Rumours about Qasemi’s Assassination Attempt

Potential candidate Ali Motahari denied that he was planning to sue another potential candidate, Rostom Qasemi, for allegedly manufacturing an assassination attempt in Lebanon on March 24. Rumours of the lawsuit had been circulating online and in the Turkish press for a few days. Motahari said he had no reason to be involved in the issue, and as far as he is concerned, Qasemi is an honest person.

Panahian: Voting Can Lead to the Return of Imam Mahdi

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.