WANA (May 31) – Two prominent figures have visited the Ministry of Interior to register for the upcoming presidential election in Iran. These well-known names are also serious rivals: one backed by the conservative faction and the other hoping for support from the reformist front in this round of competition. Both have experienced defeats in previous elections.

 

Saeed Jalili, a member of the Expediency Discernment Council and the Supreme Leader’s representative in the Supreme National Security Council, registered on the first day (May 30). Many consider him the closest person to the views of the late President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi. His campaign activities started on social media a few days ago. While he has many friends and supporters among the conservative base and high-ranking officials, he also has serious enemies and opponents among the reformists inside and opposition groups outside the country.

 

Vilifying Saeed Jalili as a desirable and accepted candidate by the conservative faction began in various forms and platforms years ago. Domestic reformists and opponents of the Islamic Republic abroad have always acted similarly in undermining him. Both groups believe that Jalili’s presence in governance hinders achieving their cultural and political goals aligned with Western policies.

 

Saeed Jalili, a former chief nuclear negotiator, waves before registering as a candidate for the presidential election at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, May 30, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Many rumors and accusations about Saeed Jalili’s extremism have been fabricated and disseminated. Perhaps the root of these accusations stems from the fact that Jalili has always been a strong, highly committed asset for the conservative front in Iran. This capacity could be a threat to the reformist faction with Western and extreme tendencies.

 

A significant portion of Iran’s nuclear advancements occurred during Jalili’s tenure as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. While he did not achieve noteworthy concessions in negotiations with the P5+1, he was able to enhance Iran’s nuclear capacities behind the scenes. The percentage of nuclear enrichment in this term was raised. A possibility that increased the bargaining capacity of Iran’s nuclear negotiators for the next periods. This leap in Iran’s nuclear strength could be one of the reasons for the West’s animosity and the resentment of their internal supporters towards Jalili’s political approaches.

 

 

The late Raisi government acknowledged benefiting from Jalili’s advice over the past three years. He stepped aside in the previous election in favor of Ebrahim Raisi, helping Raisi win. Jalili can be categorized as both a pragmatic and theoretical manager. In the previous competitions, Jalili failed to secure a high number of votes, and the public did not show much enthusiasm for him. However, in this round, given the similarities between his programs, slogans, and approaches with the late government, Jalili might achieve something significant.

Saeed Jalili, a former chief nuclear negotiator, speaks at a press conference after registering as a candidate for the presidential election at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, May 30, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

 

Ali Larijani, another member of the Expediency Discernment Council who has held various high positions for years, is more well-known than Jalili and his potential competitors for the upcoming election. The Guardian Council disqualified him in the previous presidential race, sparking various reactions. The Supreme Leader of Iran indirectly criticized Larijani’s disqualification, but the Guardian Council did not deem him fit for the presidential race based on the law, and the Council’s final decision resulted in Larijani’s exclusion from the competition.

 

In the large and political Larijani family, his other brothers have also held or still hold high positions in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Sadegh Larijani previously headed the judiciary and currently chairs the Expediency Discernment Council. Other Larijani brothers also hold other positions. This family’s reputation was severely damaged by then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who accused them of financial and power corruption. The smear campaign against the Larijanis was so effective that, to this day, no family member has been able to win the majority of public votes in any recent elections.

Ali Larijani, former chairman of the parliament of Iran, waves at a press conference after registering as a candidate for the presidential election at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, May 31, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

The veteran Iranian politician Ali Larijani, who served as the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly for many years, was traditionally aligned with the conservatives. However, since 2021 and a bit earlier, the reformist faction, seeing themselves without a strong leader to compete against Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, turned to Ali Larijani and attempted to introduce him as a “New reformist figure.” The reformists viewed Larijani similarly to how they viewed Hassan Rouhani during his eight years in office. Reformists considered Rouhani and Larijani merely as “surrogate mothers” to gain power and never truly believed in these individuals.

 

The reformists need a highly accepted candidate who would likely pass the Guardian Council’s vetting in their basket. Therefore, they are looking to hire moderate politicians, even from other political factions. Boycotting of the previous election did not compel the government to grant concessions to the reformists and reduced their share of the cake day by day.

 

If voter turnout goes high and the reformist party fully supports Larijani, he might be able to enter the presidential palace; otherwise, the conditions are more favorable for his rivals.

Ali Larijani, former chairman of the parliament of Iran, registers as a candidate for the presidential election at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran May 31, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Why is the Election in Iran Held Before the End of the 4-Year Term?

In the helicopter crash incident in northwest Iran (May 19), President Ebrahim Raisi, the Foreign Minister, and several other high-ranking officials lost their lives. The massive turnout of Iranians at the funeral ceremonies for the President and Foreign Minister, held in several major cities, was astonishing. Few analysts believed that the conservative President had such high popularity and support.

 

The Iranian government decided to hold early elections based on the constitution. This is not the first time that a presidential election has been held ahead of schedule in Iran.

 

Some political factions have declared their readiness to participate in the elections. The conservatives seek to continue their presidency, while the reformists, even if they participate, must pass the Guardian Council’s vetting.

By R.Ganji

Mourners attend the funeral for victims of the helicopter crash that killed Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and others

Mourners attend the funeral for victims of the helicopter crash that killed Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and others, in Tehran, Iran, May 22, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)