PHOTO: Supreme Leader addresses military commanders on Monday
Despite the disqualification of thousands of candidates, Iran’s Supreme Leader has declared that the February 26 election will “guarantee the dignity and authority of Iran and the political system” by introducing “fresh blood” into the system.
Ayatollah Khamenei used an address to Army and Air Force commanders on Monday to reiterate that it is the “duty” of all Iranians to participate in the vote for the 290-seat Parliament and the 88-member Assembly of Experts, the body which chooses the Supreme Leader.
The Guardian Council — appointed by Khamenei and the judiciary — initially disqualified 60% of the more than 12,000 candidates for Parliament, including 50 MPs and 99% of the 3,000 reformist applicants.
After pressure from figures such as President Rouhani, the Council reinstated about 25% of those who were banned, but it is unclear how many of those are reformists or centrists linked to the President and former President Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Hardline and some conservative factions fear the success of a centrist bloc in the ballot, and they have warned of “sedition” led by figures such as Rafsanjani.
On Monday, the Supreme Leader buttressed the call for mass participation by invoking the US enemy. He said the goal of Washington and its partners was “change within the political system of the Islamic Republic”.
Khamenei said this was being pursued by “soft war”, such as intervention in the elections. He said “hard war” was “unlikely but not impossible”.
Enemy smiles, but beware what lies behind his smile.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 8, 2016
The Supreme Leader whispers the National Anthem at Monday’s ceremony:
