Results for: Iran

Iran’s Guardian Council has approved the candidacies of six individuals for the upcoming presidential election scheduled to take place on June 28. The election will see the participation of hardline parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Despite promises of economic improvement, the country’s political and economic decisions ultimately rest with the Supreme Leader, Ali Hosseini Khamenei. Notably, former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s nomination has been barred by the Guardian Council. This election marks the second time an Iranian president has died in office following the assassination of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.

Following a helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others, Iran’s Guardian Council has approved six candidates, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, for the June 28 presidential election. Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was once again barred from running. The election campaign will be a condensed two-week period, with candidates set to participate in televised debates and public speeches. The council’s selection suggests Iran’s leadership aims to ensure a smooth electoral process amidst low voter turnout and tensions over the nuclear program and regional conflicts.

In Iran, a trial has commenced against Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi in her absence. Imprisoned since 2021 for opposing the hijab law and capital punishment, Mohammadi faces charges of spreading anti-state propaganda related to her comments on journalist Dina Ghalibaf and the election boycott. The trial comes amid heightened enforcement of Iran’s Islamic dress code for women and increased surveillance following nationwide protests triggered by Mahsa Amini’s death.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged an immediate end to hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, expressing concern over the possibility of a wider conflict. The situation along the demarcation line between the two countries has become increasingly tense in recent days, with exchanges of artillery fire between Hezbollah and Israel. Both groups have ties to Iran and are considered allies. Guterres emphasized the need for a ceasefire, warning that continued fighting could have catastrophic consequences for the region.

The Biden administration’s anti-energy policies, such as the LNG export ban and the revival of the Clean Power Plan, are empowering America’s adversaries, including Russia, China, and Iran. These regimes are seeking to undermine American alliances and weaken national security. To address this, the United States must unleash its energy innovators and leverage its energy resources to prevail over its adversaries and meet the challenges of the future.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has accused Western sanctions of contributing to the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, made the remarks during a joint press conference in Moscow. Raisi died on May 19 when his helicopter caught fire after hitting elevated terrain in northwestern Iran. A preliminary report by Iran’s armed forces found no bullet holes or suspicious communications, suggesting the crash was an accident. However, Lukashenko claims that sanctions prevented proper maintenance of the helicopter, leading to its failure.

The United Nations lowered its flag to half-mast to honor the passing of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Raisi, known as the “Butcher of Tehran,” was known for his role in human rights abuses and his support of terrorism. While some nations mourned his death, others expressed relief and criticized the Biden administration’s offer of condolences. The incident sparked a global debate about the erosion of human values and the nature of Iran’s political system, which has been plagued by accusations of sham elections and suppression of dissent.

The sudden passing of Ebrahim Raisi, the Iranian President known as the ‘Butcher of Tehran,’ has sparked reactions and concerns, particularly regarding the Biden administration’s response. While Raisi’s death is unlikely to bring immediate changes within Iran, it presents an opportunity for the Biden team to reassess its Iran policy and ensure the safety of America, Israel, and the Middle East. However, the administration’s ‘condolences’ to the Iranian regime have been met with criticism, emphasizing the need for a more assertive and strategic approach to deterring Iranian aggression and supporting the opposition movement within the country.

The Iranian military revealed on Wednesday that domestically produced drones were instrumental in locating the helicopter of President Ebrahim Raisi after it crashed in mountainous terrain in the country’s northwest. Following the crash on Sunday, a search and rescue operation was launched with assistance from the European Union, Russia, and Turkey. Despite being equipped with night-vision technology, a drone sent by Turkey was unable to pinpoint the crash site. Iranian drones and ground rescue teams ultimately discovered the wreckage early on Monday morning. An investigation has been ordered to determine the cause of the crash, which claimed the lives of President Raisi and seven members of his entourage, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were killed in a helicopter crash on May 19. India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will visit Iran on May 22 to pay his respects and attend the memorial ceremony. Elections for a new president will be held on June 28, 2024.