U.S.-accredited former Revolutionary Guard commander Vahid Haganian shows his ID to media during a press conference ahead of announcing his presidential candidacy. Associated Press
Vahid Haganian, a former commander of the U.S.-sanctioned Revolutionary Guards, was among the candidates who registered to run in Iran's presidential election on Saturday following the death of Ibrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, according to Iranian state media.
Haganian, a close aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told reporters after registering that his qualifications were based on his “45 years of experience in presidency and leadership roles.”
In 2019, the U.S. Treasury Department designated Haganian one of nine of Khamenei's closest associates responsible for “advancing” repression at home and abroad.
Iran maintains that most of the U.S. sanctions are motivated by unfounded accusations.
Among the candidates who registered on Friday were prominent conservatives, former parliament speaker Ali Larijani and former central bank governor Abdelnaser Hemmati.
Election officials told reporters on Saturday that 17 candidates had registered since registration for the June 28 election opened on Thursday.
The Guardian Council, a clergy-led body that vets candidates, is scheduled to publish a list of qualified candidates on June 11.
In the latest challenge to the ban on women running for president, conservative former lawmaker Zohreh Elahian registered to run on Saturday, telling reporters her motto was “healthy government, healthy economy, healthy society.”
The Guardian Council ruled in previous elections that Iran's Islamic law prohibits a woman from becoming president.
The death of Raisi, who was seen as the likely successor to the 85-year-old Khamenei and ultimately held power, has set off a race among hard-line factions to influence Khamenei's choice of successor.
Moderate politicians have accused the 12-member Guardian Council of disqualifying candidates other than hard-liners who were expected to dominate the race.
However, the limited number of voting options, plus growing dissatisfaction with various political, social and economic crises, could lead to low voter turnout and, in turn, a decline in the legitimacy of Iran's theocratic regime.
Iran has a complex mix of clerics and elected officials, with Ayatollah Khamenei having final say on all state matters, including nuclear and foreign policy, but an elected president will be responsible for tackling the country's worsening economic difficulties.
Saeed Jalili, a former chief nuclear negotiator who ran Khamenei's office for four years two decades ago, became the first leading hard-liner to register in Thursday's election.
Iranian media has also named interim president Mohammad Mokbel as a possible candidate.
A few modest moderates may also enter the race.
His chances of running are slim after another former IRGC commander, Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf, who was seen as a leading contender, was re-elected speaker of parliament on Tuesday.
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