By Canadian Press

Iran’s hard-line parliament speaker Mohammad Qalibaf registers as a presidential candidate

Jun 3, 2024 | 5:17 AM

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s hard-line parliament speaker registered Monday for country’s June 28 presidential election.

The entry of Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf brings a prominent candidate with close ties to the country’s parliamentary Revolution Guard into the race to replace President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash with seven others on May 19.

Qalibaf initially became speaker following a string of failed presidential bids and 12 years as the leader of Iran’s capital city, during which he built onto Tehran’s subway and supported the construction of modern high-rises. He was recently re-elected as speaker.

Many, however, know Qalibaf for his support, as a Revolutionary Guard general, for a violent crackdown on Iranian university students in 1999. He also reportedly ordered live gunfire to be used against Iranian students in 2003 while serving as the country’s police chief.

Qalibaf ran unsuccessfully for president in 2005 and 2013. He withdrew from the 2017 presidential campaign.

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Iran’s parliament plays a secondary role in governing the country, though it can intensify pressure on a presidential administration when deciding on the annual budget and other important bills. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 85, has the final say in all important state matters.

The Associated Press