In his address on the anniversary of Khomeini’s death, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei complained of the disqualification of some candidates, saying that some were unjustly disqualified and “persecuted” on false information about family, and should be compensated. The Guardian Council quickly responded with spokesman Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaei tweeting that the Leader’s words were to be obeyed and that they would make an announcement soon. The reference to family made it clear that Khamenei was speaking about Ali Larijani. Later that evening, the Guardian Council issued a statement in which they agreed with the Leader’s comments, but said the “false” information had not influenced their decision making and so no changes would be made to the list of candidates. Ali Larijani then published a handwritten letter to the Supreme Leader, in which he thanked him for “demanding the elimination of oppression and persecution as occurred in the examination of the qualifications of presidential candidates” before praising his “greatness, magnanimity and spirit of righteousness of the Imam (Khomeini)”.

Read report at BBC Persian

In a different approach to promises of subsidies, Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi said he will provide each Iranian with a 300,000 toman food package ($70 US) in the interest of public health. Ghazizadeh said his first priority was economic stability alongside dealing with the housing shortage in Iran.

Read more at IRNA

Professor Shahram Akbarzadeh was recently interviewed on CNA. Watch the interview here.

Are you an enthusiastic researcher keen to explore China’s interest in the Persian Gulf, and Qatar’s foreign policy making? Find out more here

Professor Ihsan Yilmaz co-authored this piece for European Center for Populism Studies. Read the full article here.

Professor Ihsan Yilmaz’s new book, will be available from this August. Find out more here.

Professor Shahram Akbarzadeh and Dr Rebecca Barlow co-authored this pieces with Sanaz Nasipour for Third World Quarterly. Read the full article here.

Professor Ihsan Yilmaz co-authored this article for Third World Quarterly. Access the article here.

Professor Shahram Akbarzadeh discusses Iran, Qatar and the US with Amwaj Media. Find out more here.