Iran Focus: Tehran, Jun. 14 – Ali Larijani, one of the eight candidates in Irans upcoming presidential elections, announced today that he had no intention of withdrawing from the race amid speculation that members of the ultra-conservative faction were scrambling to introduce a single candidate.
Iran: conservative candidate denies any intention of quitting race
Iran security forces arrest protesters outside Evin Prison
Iran Focus: Tehran, Jun. 14 At least 10 people were arrested this afternoon by Irans paramilitary police for taking part in a sit-in outside Tehrans Evin Prison. The protesters had gathered to declare their support for political prisoners presently on hunger strike inside Evin. Evin Prison was built by the Shahs regime as a modern security prison to house …
Iran security forces arrest protesters outside Evin Prison
Iran Focus: Tehran, Jun. 14 At least 10 people were arrested this afternoon by Irans paramilitary police for taking part in a sit-in outside Tehrans Evin Prison. The protesters had gathered to declare their support for political prisoners presently on hunger strike inside Evin. Evin Prison was built by the Shahs regime as a modern security prison to house …
Iran elections candidates: Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani
Iran Focus: For over two decades, Ali-Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has been one of the two most powerful men within Irans ruling hierarchy, first as Ayatollah Khomeinis most trusted confidant until his death in 1989, and later as the junior partner in the Khamenei-Rafsanjani duo that has been at the apex of the Islamic Republic since then.
As a young theological student in Qom, Rafsanjani, who hails from the rural deserts of southern Iran, became a fervent supporter of Khomeinis radical Islamic ideology.
Iran elections candidates: Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani
Iran Focus: For over two decades, Ali-Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has been one of the two most powerful men within Irans ruling hierarchy, first as Ayatollah Khomeinis most trusted confidant until his death in 1989, and later as the junior partner in the Khamenei-Rafsanjani duo that has been at the apex of the Islamic Republic since then.
As a young theological student in Qom, Rafsanjani, who hails from the rural deserts of southern Iran, became a fervent supporter of Khomeinis radical Islamic ideology.
Iran elections candidates: Mohsen Rezai
Iran Focus: Major General Mohsen Rezai was Commander of Irans elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) from 1981 to 1997. The IRGC, and in particular its Qods (Jerusalem) Force, are tasked with liberating Jerusalem through Baghdad in stark contrast to the countrys regular armed forces which are purely for defending the country against foreign attacks. He currently serves as Secretary of the State Expediency Council. Mohsen Rezais life story is one of the most bizarre, and yet typical, cases of extreme make-over among the Islamic regimes elite.
Iran elections candidates: Mohsen Rezai
Iran Focus: Major General Mohsen Rezai was Commander of Irans elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) from 1981 to 1997. The IRGC, and in particular its Qods (Jerusalem) Force, are tasked with liberating Jerusalem through Baghdad in stark contrast to the countrys regular armed forces which are purely for defending the country against foreign attacks. He currently serves as Secretary of the State Expediency Council. Mohsen Rezais life story is one of the most bizarre, and yet typical, cases of extreme make-over among the Islamic regimes elite.
Iran elections candidates: Ali Larijani
Iran Focus: Ali Ardeshir Larijani was the head of the Iranian State TV and Radio from 1994 to 2004. Prior to that, Larijani served as the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance under President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani taking up the post from current president Mohammad Khatami. At the end of Larijanis 10-year term as head
of state broadcaster IRIB in May 2004, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed him as his representative in the Supreme National Security Council for a three-year term.
Iran elections candidates: Ali Larijani
Iran Focus: Ali Ardeshir Larijani was the head of the Iranian State TV and Radio from 1994 to 2004. Prior to that, Larijani served as the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance under President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani taking up the post from current president Mohammad Khatami. At the end of Larijanis 10-year term as head
of state broadcaster IRIB in May 2004, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed him as his representative in the Supreme National Security Council for a three-year term.
Iran elections candidates: Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf
Iran Focus: Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf is one of the eight hopefuls competing to become president following the June 17 elections. He is also one of five candidates who previously held top Revolutionary Guards posts. Qalibaf, a former commander of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Air Force, stepped down as the chief of the paramilitary police force, the State Security Forces, to run in the upcoming elections. He headed the IRGC Air Force until June 2000, when he was selected as police chief.
