Qalibaf Implicitly Calls for Other Principlist Candidates to Withdraw in His Favor

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, one of the candidates for the presidential election, implicitly called for other principlist candidates to withdraw in his favor, referring to his "greater readiness" compared to other candidates. On Sunday, June 17, in a television program, he responded to a question about candidates withdrawing after the debates, stating that the "Revolution Front" must converge on "one person" before the election date on July 8. The term "Revolution Front" is used by some principlists to describe this political faction, although they have also used other titles in recent election campaigns. Mr. Qalibaf, recalling his presidency in the new parliament and the subsequent death of Ebrahim Raisi, referred to other principlist candidates, saying, "When I saw friends coming to represent, I entered the scene because the country is at a critical point and I felt I had more readiness than the others." Previously, reports had circulated about Saeed Jalili withdrawing from the election race, but his close associates labeled these reports as "lies." On the other hand, Alireza Zakani, whom some analysts refer to as a "cover candidate," denied his withdrawal and stated he would remain until the end. Jalili and Zakani, who are hardline figures within the principlist faction, withdrew in the previous presidential election in 2021 in favor of Ebrahim Raisi. Additionally, in the 2013 election that led to Hassan Rouhani's victory, supporters of Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Saeed Jalili accused the opposing side of facilitating Rouhani's victory by not withdrawing. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf withdrew in the 2017 presidential election in favor of Ebrahim Raisi, but this action did not prevent Raisi's defeat by Hassan Rouhani. Mr. Qalibaf, who had recently criticized the loss of "30 percent" of revenue from oil sales due to sanctions and faced backlash from supporters of Ebrahim Raisi and Saeed Jalili, attempted to show on Sunday that he would continue a foreign policy path similar to Raisi's. He noted that "expanding relations with neighbors" was a policy of Raisi's government and stated he would continue this approach "with strength and power." This comes at a time when, during Ebrahim Raisi's three-year presidency, the Taliban government has refrained from allocating water rights from the Hirmand River, and following a missile attack by the IRGC on opposition forces in Pakistan, severe tensions arose between Tehran and Islamabad, with Pakistan also targeting areas within Iranian territory. The Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly's previous statements during his election television programs about not suing journalists have also faced criticism, and he has been accused of "lying." Meanwhile, Masoud Pezeshkian, a candidate supported by reformist parties and organizations, admitted during a speech at Tehran University that he is "subservient" to Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic. According to ISNA, he stated in this speech: "If you do not accept my belief in respecting and being subservient to the leadership, you have no right to insult me. Freedom does not mean insulting anyone we want." He also reminded that in 2022, he had made a "clear" statement regarding Mahsa Amini and her death, adding that for this reason, he was approved by the Guardian Council "with conditions." Mr. Pezeshkian referred to a live television program in 2022 where he stated that Mahsa Amini did not die due to natural causes. Pezeshkian called the police's "Noor Plan," which includes the return of morality police to the streets, "dark" and criticized Qalibaf's advisors. He reiterated his opposition to the "Noor Plan" and stated that such plans would not lead to results. The presidential candidate continued: "What someone wears does not concern us," while also confirming that the president cannot stop the imposition of mandatory hijab. He added: "As far as I can, I will stand against this issue and will convince other individuals and institutions as well." Mr. Pezeshkian also stated in this meeting, in response to students' requests for the release of political prisoners, that "political prisoners are not within my jurisdiction, and if I want to do anything, I have no authority."