Candidates Wrap Up Campaigning – Rouhani Surging Ahead

Iran’s six presidential hopefuls wrapped up their campaign on Thursday ahead of tomorrow’s election. A latest poll by IPOS, taken on Wednesday, shows Rouhani surging in popularity, finishing first with Qalibaf at a rather distant second place. 



With a large percentage of voters still undecided, the election could be decided in the first round, especially if Rouhan’s surge continues, although many analysts expect the election to go to the second round on Friday 21 June.

Video credit: Pro-Rouhani crowd march on the streets of Sari, in northern Iran, in a scene not witnessed since the government’s crackdown against the Green Movement four years ago. (YouTube)

Mesbah Endorses Jalili

By Nader Uskowi

Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi, the spiritual leader of the ultraconservative Perseverance Front, today publicly endorsed the candidacy of Saeed Jalili for president. Mesbah Yazdi praised Jalili, saying he was hopeful that Jalili would revive Islamic values in the society. The ayatollah, pictured here, made his public endorsement after meeting Jalili for more than four hours today.

“I thank the Almighty for letting me live under a righteous regime that was led by Imam Khomeini and now his successor, a supreme leader that is following Imam Khomeni’s path… Our group evaluated the candidates on different factors, but supporting Islamic values were the determining factor for us… After Mr. Lankarani (who will not be on the ballot), we believe Mr. Jalili is the best candidate that represents the Islamic values… We hope he would be a good assistant to the supreme leader as well,” Mesbah said. (Fars News Agency, 28 May)

Mesbah Yazdi has never been shy about his own fundamentalist religious beliefs and teachings, famously repeating that in Islamic governments, the president and other elected officials do not, and cannot gain their legitimacy from the popular vote, but from the blessing of the supreme leader who acts as the representative of the Hidden Imam.

Mesbah has also said many times that the republican nature of the Islamic Republic is secondary to its Islamic essence; and has actually proposed that Sharia laws be the governing laws of the country. But most importantly, he is the leader of a very influential faction within the Islamic Republic whose thinking are closest to the Taliban and the Saudi Salafis, albeit their Shia Version.

Mesbah’s endorsement of Jalili and Jalili’s expression of joy from such endorsement might actually cost Jalili large amount of vote and further help the chances of the already popular Mayor Qalibaf of Tehran. After the disqualification of Rafsanjani by the Guardian Council, Qalibaf is considered the frontrunner. He would have received the votes of many moderates on both sides of the country’s political spectrum, who would have otherwise voted for Rafsanjani. Now, Mesbah’s spirited defense of Jalili could even push more of the moderate and pro-reform sympathizers to vote for Qalibaf in order to stop Jalili. Interesting election, full of intrigues and surprises; Stay Tuned!

Rafsanjani Softens Stance Toward Israel

‘We Are Not at War with Israel’

Iran’s influential former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said today that Iran is not at war with Israel, Sharq daily reported. (Sharq, 29 April)

Ayatollah Rafsanjani’s comments is seen as an effort by a number of influential politicians to repair Iran’s image abroad after Ahmadinejad’s provocative remarks on Israel and the Holocaust during his eight-year presidency prompted international outcry. he remark is seen as part of growing calls by high-profile Iranian politicians, including potential presidential candidates, to repair Iran’s image abroad. Ahmadinejad’s comment in 2005 that Israel should be destroyed prompted an international outcry.

Last week, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf — Tehran mayor and a leading candidate in the June presidential election — said Ahmadinejad’s anti-Jewish remarks have damaged Iran.

Ayatollah Rafsanjani has not said whether he plans to run in the election.

File photo: Former Iranian President Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani (Baztab)

Tehran Mayor Says as President He Will Stabilize Economy in 2 Years

Tehran mayor and presidential candidate Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf criticized the current economic situation in Iran, saying the economy is in a state of uncertainty, hurting both poor and the rich, and in need of major structural reforms. Qalibaf promised that he will stabilize the economy within 2 years of his election. (Tasnim News Agency, 27 April)

Qalibaf is a member of the conservative Coalition of Three, along with Ali Akbar Velayati and Qolam Ali Haddad Adel. The coalition will chose one of the three to represent the traditional conservative factions close to Ayatollah Khamenei in the 14 June presidential election. A recent public opinion poll commissioned by the country’s state radio and TV organization showed Qalibaf to rank third among all potential candidates. Former presidents Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mohammad Khatami ranked first and second in the survey.