Iran’s Ex-Speaker Brands Guardian Council 'Opaque'

Ali Larijani, a former Speaker of Iran's Parliament, has condemned the Guardian Council's decision to disqualify his candidacy for presidency, calling the system 'opaque'.

"Despite positive opinions from responsible bodies and the judiciary's ruling against some past claims of the council, the Guardian Council, through an opaque mechanism, has created an obstacle in the path of such cooperation," Larijani declared in a statement.

He added, "I had hoped that with your support, we could overcome the obstacles and pave the way for Iran's national development."

Critics quickly highlighted the irony in Larijani's statement. "Read Ali Larijani's statement about his disqualification; this guy couldn't even tell the Guardian Council 'boo' in defense of his own rights, yet he was planning to save the Iranian people. The others are just like our own Larijani, don't over inflate them," wrote a user.

The Guardian Council in Iran plays a crucial role in the country's political landscape, particularly through its authoritarian power to vet and disqualify candidates for various elections, including the presidential race. Out of 80 candidates who registered for the upcoming June 28 snap election following the sudden death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, 74 were axed by the council.

Comprising twelve members—six appointed by the Supreme Leader and six jurists nominated by the judiciary and approved by the parliament—the council is ultimately tasked with carrying out the wishes of the Supreme Leader.