Iran's presidential election: Contest of losers

Iran's Guardian Council has selected seven candidates for the mid-July presidential election. Most have run in the past. By Shabnam von Hein

  • Ebrahim Raisi, a 61-year-old cleric, is running for the second time; in 2017 he lost to incumbent President Rouhani. In 2019, he was appointed head of the judiciary by religious leader Ayatollah Khamenei and is being touted as a possible successor to Khamenei. In the 1980s, Raisi was part of the so-called "death committee" responsible for executing thousands of political prisoners
    Favourite of the hardliners: Ebrahim Raisi, a 61-year-old cleric, is running for the second time; in 2017 he lost to incumbent President Rouhani. In 2019, he was appointed head of the judiciary by religious leader Ayatollah Khamenei and is being touted as a possible successor to Khamenei. In the 1980s, Raisi was part of the so-called "death committee" responsible for executing thousands of political prisoners
  • Said Jalili is chairman of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. The 55-year-old was deputy foreign minister under President Ahmadinejad and led nuclear negotiations for Iran until 2013, the same year he ran against the more moderate Hassan Rouhani. The conservative Jalili stands for a tough foreign policy course against the West
    On course for confrontation: Said Jalili is chairman of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. The 55-year-old was deputy foreign minister under President Ahmadinejad and led nuclear negotiations for Iran until 2013, the same year he ran against the more moderate Hassan Rouhani. The conservative Jalili stands for a tough foreign policy course against the West
  • Mohsen Resai is a member of the Revolutionary Guards. The 67-year-old general is currently secretary general of Iran's Arbitration Council. The Arbitration Council is called upon in the event of conflicts between the Council of Guardians and parliament. Mohsen Resai is running for president for the fourth time: he previously ran for president in 2005, 2009 and 2013
    Fourth attempt: Mohsen Resai is a member of the Revolutionary Guards. The 67-year-old general is currently secretary general of Iran's Arbitration Council. The Arbitration Council is called upon in the event of conflicts between the Council of Guardians and parliament. Mohsen Resai is running for president for the fourth time: he previously ran for president in 2005, 2009 and 2013
  • 55-year-old Aliresa Sakani (r.) is head of the state parliamentary research centre. He registered to run for president in 2013 and 2017, but was disqualified each time. It is not known why he was rejected then and has been allowed to run this time. Sakani is among the fiercest critics of the government of incumbent President Rouhani
    Critic of Rouhani: 55-year-old Aliresa Sakani (r.) is head of the state parliamentary research centre. He registered to run for president in 2013 and 2017, but was disqualified each time. It is not known why he was rejected then and has been allowed to run this time. Sakani is among the fiercest critics of the government of incumbent President Rouhani
  • Mohsen Mehralisadeh was head of the National Sports Organization under President Khatami (1997-2005). In 2005, the politician, now 66, ran for president, but was initially disqualified and then admitted after the religious leader intervened, probably with the intention of increasing voter turnout. The winner of the election was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
    The reformist forces' candidate? Mohsen Mehralisadeh was head of the National Sports Organization under President Khatami (1997-2005). In 2005, the politician, now 66, ran for president, but was initially disqualified and then admitted after the religious leader intervened, probably with the intention of increasing voter turnout. The winner of the election was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
  • Abdulnaser Hemmati is head of Iran's central bank. After the candidacies of Vice President Jahangiri and former parliamentary speaker Larijani were rejected by the Guardian Council, he is considered the moderate candidate most likely to maintain Rouhani's course. Hemmati is emphasizing his political independence and points to his plans for rebuilding the economy
    Economic focus: Abdulnaser Hemmati is head of Iran's central bank. After the candidacies of Vice President Jahangiri and former parliamentary speaker Larijani were rejected by the Guardian Council, he is considered the moderate candidate most likely to maintain Rouhani's course. Hemmati is emphasizing his political independence and points to his plans for rebuilding the economy
  • Amir-Hossein Ghasisadeh Hashemi has been a member of Iran's parliament since 2008. The 50-year-old conservative politician sees himself as a representative of the younger generation and is trying to score points with popular election promises such as the abolition of compulsory military service. Given his poor chances, he may withdraw his candidacy and support Ibrahim Raisi
    Shaky candidate: Amir-Hossein Ghasisadeh Hashemi has been a member of Iran's parliament since 2008. The 50-year-old conservative politician sees himself as a representative of the younger generation and is trying to score points with popular election promises such as the abolition of compulsory military service. Given his poor chances, he may withdraw his candidacy and support Ibrahim Raisi