Once seen as a possible successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah
Ali Khamenei, Iran's ageing ultimate decision-maker, Raisi's
sudden death has triggered a race among hardliners to influence
the selection of Iran's next leader.
After the five-day registration period, the Guardian Council,
which oversees elections and legislation, will vet the
candidates running for the presidency.
"The vetting process will be seven days and then qualified
candidates will have almost two weeks for the election
campaign," Vahidi told state TV. The Guardian Council will
publish the list of qualified candidates on June 11.
Moderate politicians have accused the 12-member hardline
Guardian Council of disqualifying rivals to hardline candidates,
who are expected to dominate the upcoming presidential race.
Turnout may be hit by restricted choice on the ballot and rising
discontent over an array of political, social and economic
crises.
Within Iran's complex mix of clerical rulers and elected
officials, Khamenei has the final say on all state matters such
as nuclear and foreign policies. But the elected president will
be in charge of tackling worsening economic hardship.
The registration of candidates could include Parviz Fattah, a
former Guards member who heads an investment fund linked to the
leader, and Saeed Jalili, a former chief nuclear negotiator who
in 2001 ran Khamenei's office for four years, insiders said.
Interim President Mohammad Mokhber and former parliament speaker
and a Khamenei adviser, Ali Larijani, have also been mentioned
in Iranian media as possible candidates. Larijani was barred
from standing in the 2021 presidential race.
Several low-key moderate politicians are likely to enter the
race.
(Reporting by Elwely Elwelly,; Editing by Parisa Hafezi and
Michael Perry)
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