US-sanctioned former head of Revolutionary Guards Vahid Haganian is among candidates registered to run today in the elections for the successor of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash, reported state media, quoted by Reuters, quoted by BTA.
Haganian, who is close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told reporters after registering as a contender that he was running based on his "experience after 45 years of service in the presidency and office of the (supreme) leader".
In 2019, the US Treasury Department placed Haganian on a list of nine individuals who are part of Khamenei's "closest entourage and are responsible for carrying out repression both at home and abroad".< /p>
Iran says most US sanctions are the product of baseless accusations.
Yesterday, former parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani, a prominent figure among Iranian conservatives, and Abdolnaser Hemati, former governor of the central bank, registered as candidates for the elections.
A representative of the electoral authorities told reporters today that a total of 12 contenders have registered since Thursday, when the registration procedure for the presidential vote on June 28 began.
On June 11, the so-called Council of Guardians of the Constitution will publish a list of those allowed by them to participate in the elections.
The death of Raisi - who was once seen as a possible successor to Khamenei, the man with the final say on all matters in Iran - has sparked a race among hardliners to influence the selection of the Islamic Republic's new supreme leader, Reuters notes.
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Among other more prominent names as contenders for Iran's next president is that of Saeed Jalili, a former nuclear negotiator who for four years led Khamenei's office. On Thursday, he became the first prominent representative of hardline circles in the Islamic Republic to submit documents to participate in the elections.
Interim President Mohammad Mohber is also mentioned as a possible candidate in the local media.
Several lesser-known moderate politicians are likely to join the race.
Mohammad Bakr Kalibaf, another former Revolutionary Guards chief who had also been tipped as a potential candidate, was re-elected as parliament speaker on Tuesday, making it unlikely that he will contest the election.