Iran's Ex-Parliament Speaker Launches Presidential Bid

Ali Larijani, former chairman of the parliament of Iran, speaks at a press conference after registering as a candidate for the presidential election at the Interior Ministry, in Tehran, Iran May 31, 2024.
Ali Larijani, former chairman of the parliament of Iran, speaks at a press conference after registering as a candidate for the presidential election at the Interior Ministry, in Tehran, Iran May 31, 2024.

Former Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani has officially registered to run in the snap presidential election, scheduled for June 28, following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.

The 66-year-old moderate conservative, who is also a member of the Expediency Discernment Council, went to the Iranian Interior Ministry headquarters in Tehran to register his candidacy on Friday, ending days of speculations about his intentions.

Thursday night, he implicitly confirmed his presence in the elections by publishing a tweet showing a screenshot of his online taxi app with the residence of the Supreme Leader as the origin and two destinations, first the Interior Ministry of and second the office of the President of Iran on Pastor Street, hinting that he will win the election.

It is widely believed that Larijani has sought assurances from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to avoid disqualification, a fate he faced during the 2021 elections allegedly due to his daughter's residency in the US.

Ali Larijani, former chairman of the parliament of Iran, registers as a candidate for the presidential election at the Interior Ministry, in Tehran, Iran May 31, 2024.
Ali Larijani, former chairman of the parliament of Iran, registers as a candidate for the presidential election at the Interior Ministry, in Tehran, Iran May 31, 2024.

Addressing the reporters, the veteran politician said national unity in society has been significantly harmed by divisions. "In my envisioned government, every skilled and capable individual, regardless of their political affiliation, will be assigned a role. The government will not be the exclusive domain of one party or faction."

Larijani, an insider for many years without political party affiliation, was a top figure in the Islamist political right, known as the Principlist camp. Khamenei appointed him to numerous high-ranking positions, including chief of the state broadcaster (IRIB) and various state councils. He served as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and Iran's top nuclear negotiator from 2005 to 2007.

Candidate registration is scheduled from May 30 to June 3, with the Guardian Council expected to complete vetting within two weeks. Official campaigning will commence after that, leading up to the election on June 28.

Confirmed known registrants so far include reformist Mostafa Kavakebian and conservative figure Saeed Jalili.