Hashemi Rafsanjani: People Will Not Vote for the Counter-Revolution

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, head of the Expediency Discernment Council, has called on the people of Iran to participate in the February 22 rally, stating that "we should not be afraid of the people" and adding, "these people will not vote for the counter-revolution." According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Mr. Rafsanjani said in a meeting with several youths on Wednesday morning that "people vote for those who serve them materially and spiritually, as well as the revolution and the country." These remarks come amid Iran's laws which stipulate that the qualifications of individuals who do not have "belief and practical commitment to the Islamic Republic and the absolute rule of the jurist" will not be approved in elections. Institutions such as the Ministry of Intelligence, the Judiciary, and the Law Enforcement Force examine candidates' backgrounds to verify these conditions, and after all, the Guardian Council's supervisory boards decide based on reports from their local forces. Ultimately, the Guardian Council announces its final opinion on candidates' "belief and practical commitment to the Islamic Republic and the absolute rule of the jurist." The widespread disqualification of candidates who were initially approved by the Ministry of Interior's executive boards led to protests from candidates and individuals like Hashemi Rafsanjani. However, Fars News Agency reported that some individuals approved by the executive boards had backgrounds and characteristics such as "Israeli citizenship of spouses, connections with the PKK and some counter-revolutionary groups, dual citizenship, illegal abortions, participation in murder, bribery, adultery, incest, street fighting, and public disorder." In his remarks on Wednesday, Mr. Rafsanjani also stated that "people cannot be deceived by trickery" and added, "the people love their homeland and the Islamic revolution; they may have criticisms of some, but they stand firm on the principles of the system." In this context, the Ministry of Interior announced the approval of 51% of candidates for the parliamentary elections, while the Guardian Council once again rejected Hassan Khomeini's qualification for the Assembly of Experts. The final candidates for the Assembly of Experts were announced; there is no competition in six electoral districts. The changing battlefield of the "proxy forces"; war against the people in the streets of Iran. The first paragraph; the responsibility of the opposition and the possibility of radicalizing Iranian society. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iran crisis. Trump: I hope there will be no need for further action regarding Iran; they were killing people indiscriminately. The shadow of war over Tehran; "Trump is looking for decisive military options against Iran." Trump says if the Islamic Republic attempts to assassinate him, "it will be wiped off the face of the earth." Trump emphasizes the "halt of executions in Iran": we do not know what will happen in the future. A senior American official: The Trump administration is closely monitoring the case of Reza Valizadeh.