To address these issues, the heads of Iran’s three branches of government and Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib convened to discuss strategies for maintaining order and preventing damaging disclosures by presidential candidates. Khatib emphasized the monitoring of candidates’ behaviors and warned that those adopting destructive approaches would face consequences.

The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance’s Press Supervisory Board announced stringent measures against any media content that encourages boycotts or protests, deeming such actions criminal. Simultaneously, the Judiciary has warned against revealing the regime’s repressive policies, corruption, and internal plundering during the election campaign.

Asghar Jahangir, Deputy for Social Affairs and Crime Prevention of the Judiciary, stated on state television that any slander or defamation among candidates would result in prosecution. This highlights the pervasive nature of the conflicts, now a matter of public discourse.

 

 

New regulations for presidential candidates’ advertisements on state media prohibit content that could disturb public opinion or portray a negative image of the country, aiming to maintain a facade of stability and optimism.

In an editorial directed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s office, Hossein Shariatmadari, editor-in-chief of Kayhan newspaper, linked a resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors against Iran to the upcoming elections. He suggested that Western powers aim to influence pro-negotiation candidates, advocating for the expulsion of agency inspectors from Iran.

While plans for debates among over ten candidates have been announced, Saeed Shariati, a state-affiliated expert, remarked that only those aligned with the current government’s policies would be approved, indicating a lack of genuine reform or change.

 

 

Majid Zolnour, a member of parliament and a presidential candidate, stressed that the next president must fully align with Khamenei’s vision, ensuring no conflict between the Supreme Leader and the president. Abdollah Haji Sadeghi, Khamenei’s representative in the IRGC, echoed this sentiment, urging voters to choose a leader loyal to Khamenei’s directives.

Some officials have openly criticized the elections. Former Tehran Mayor Gholamhossein Karbaschi called the electoral system flawed and farcical. Journalist Abbas Abdi noted that the array of candidates represents a minority of the population, questioning the legitimacy of the process.

Hossein Allahkaram, a former commander, criticized former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, while reformist activist Rahmatollah Bigdeli condemned Ahmadinejad’s tenure and called for his punishment for treason. Former advisor to Ahmadinejad, Abdolreza Davari, and former MP Gholam-Ali Jafarzadeh Imenabadi, also expressed their discontent with current candidates, accusing them of hypocrisy and power hunger.

 

 

Amid this turmoil, former president Mohammad Khatami has reentered the political scene, indicating potential participation if the Reform Front’s proposal materializes, despite acknowledging the less-than-ideal electoral conditions. As Iran approaches its elections, the internal power struggles and repression reflect the complex and contentious political landscape, raising questions about the legitimacy and future direction of the country’s leadership.

 

 

 

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