Iran’s hardline parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, officially entered the country’s upcoming presidential election on Monday, the final day for candidates to join the race.
Qalibaf, who has strong connections to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, is a significant addition to the list of contenders vying to succeed the late President Ebrahim Raisi, who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash on May 19.
The election is taking place amidst escalating tensions between Iran and Western nations due to Tehran’s nuclear program advancements, its support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict, and its severe crackdowns on dissent. Additionally, Iran’s backing of militia groups across the wider Middle East has drawn increased attention, particularly as Yemen’s Houthi rebels target ships in the Red Sea amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
At 62 years old, Qalibaf previously served as the mayor of Tehran for 12 years, overseeing the expansion of the city’s subway system and the development of modern skyscrapers. He was re-elected as the parliament speaker recently, following several unsuccessful presidential campaigns.
However, Qalibaf’s reputation is also marred by his involvement in the violent suppression of Iranian university students in 1999 as a Revolutionary Guard general. Furthermore, reports indicate that he authorized the use of live ammunition against Iranian students in 2003 while serving as the country’s police chief.
