Tehran Mayor Withdraws From Iran’s Presidential Race

Former presidential candidate Alireza Zakani (L). Photo: X/ @RoldanFidias

June 27, 2024 Hour: 8:04 am

Initially set for 2025, the presidential election was rescheduled following President Raisi’s unexpected death.

On Thursday, Iranian presidential candidate Alireza Zakani pulled out of the race, becoming the second nominee to announce his withdrawal ahead of the election scheduled for Friday.

Zakani, 58, the incumbent mayor of the Iranian capital Tehran, announced his pullout on social media X, and asked fellow principlist candidates, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Saeed Jalili, to unite in order to prevent the ascent of a reform-leaning candidate.

“We must consolidate our efforts to address the rightful aspirations of revolutionary factions, thereby preventing the formation of another Rouhani administration.”

The announcement came one day after another principlist candidate Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, 53, pulled out from the race. Hashemi is current serving as the vice president. Hashemi said his decision aims to “preserve the unity of the forces of the revolution,” and strengthen the principlist front.

Iranians will head to the polls on June 28 to elect a new president, a year earlier than scheduled, following the death of President #EbrahimRaisi in a helicopter crash last month.

Here is all you need to know.#IRAN #Elections #AyatollahAliKhamenei https://t.co/4Jse4FjVu4
— Outlook India (@Outlookindia) June 27, 2024

Six candidates were initially authorized to participate in the presidential elections after a selection process that included the approval of their applications by the Council of Guardians.

Currently, the four candidates remaining in the race are Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Saeed Jalili, Masoud Pezeshkian, and Mostafa Pourmohammadi.

Iran’s 14th presidential election, initially set for 2025, was rescheduled following Raisi’s unexpected death in a helicopter crash in the country’s mountainous northwestern region on May 19.