(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) Mehdi Khalaji - On May 12, Iran's Guardian Council - 6 of whose 12 members are directly appointed by the Supreme Leader - will begin deliberations to decide which candidates are permitted to run in the June 14 presidential election. Iran's hardliners have put forward a great many candidates for the presidential race, though none have emerged as a clear frontrunner. They are all running a rhetorical race to prove their own loyalty to Khamenei. Thus, the Guardian Council will have difficulty narrowing the field. Most have served in government and criticized the reformists, so the council has no real justification to disqualify them. Washington should show its concern for the people's democratic demands. Taking a strong stance against electoral manipulation would show the Iranian people that the target of U.S. pressure is the regime, not them. Supporting their calls for democracy and civil rights is the most effective way to neutralize the government's anti-American propaganda. The writer is a senior fellow at The Washington Institute.
2013-05-09 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive