Masoud Pezeshkian announces presidential bid in Iran

Masoud Pezeshkian, a notable figure within the reformist movement, has declared his intention to run for the presidency in the upcoming June 28 election, marking the first official candidacy announcement, as reported by Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency.

Pezeshkian, a respected member of parliament representing Tabriz, expressed his readiness to contest in the 14th term election following the recent passing of President Ebrahim Raisi.

Emphasizing the importance of revitalizing public trust in the electoral process, Pezeshkian articulated his aspiration to amplify citizen engagement at the ballot boxes, addressing concerns of disillusionment both nationally and internationally.

Having previously served as health minister during the presidency of Mohammad Khatami, Pezeshkian’s bid for the presidency was thwarted by the Guardian Council in the 2021 election, where his candidacy against President Raisi was disallowed.

However, with the recent vacancy in the presidency due to Raisi’s tragic demise in a helicopter crash on May 19, the stage is set for a new electoral contest.

Following constitutional protocol, Mohammad Muhbir, the first deputy president, temporarily assumed office, as stipulated by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

With the constitutional mandate requiring the election of a new president within 50 days of the incumbent’s passing, an extraordinary meeting convened among the heads of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches on May 20, resulting in the decision to hold the presidential election on June 28.

Prospective candidates have a five-day window, commencing May 30, to submit their candidacy applications to the Ministry of Interior for consideration. In accordance with Iran’s electoral system, candidates must be approved by the Guardian Council before standing for election, reflecting the country’s democratic process.