The new Iranian parliament, dominated by conservatives, opened on Thursday in a ceremony that became tense for a few moments due to the protests of some representatives and chants of 'Death to America.' When Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari, the reformist Minister of the Interior, began to speak, conservatives shouted to silence him. Mr. Lari criticized the Guardian Council and the judiciary for disqualifying over 3,600 reformist candidates from participating in the elections. In response, conservatives chanted anti-American slogans and criticized U.S. policy towards the Islamic Republic and the U.S. occupation of Iraq. Conservatives hold more than 185 of the 290 seats in the parliament.
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The New Iranian Parliament Opens
Feb 7, 2026
February 7, 2026
1 min read
📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway
The new Iranian parliament, largely conservative, opened amid protests and anti-American chants. Reformist Minister Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari criticized the disqualification of reformist candidates, highlighting the ongoing political tensions. This event underscores the deep divisions within Iranian politics and the influence of conservative factions.
🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line:
The new conservative-dominated parliament signals a continuation of hardline policies and further marginalization of reformist voices in Iran.
👥 Key Players
Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari
MENTIONED
Reformist Minister of the Interior
"As a reformist, he represents a faction that advocates for political change and greater freedoms in Iran, opposing the conservative majority."
Conservative Factions
MENTIONED
Dominant political group in the new parliament
"They hold significant power in shaping Iran's domestic and foreign policies, often opposing reformist initiatives."
Guardian Council
MENTIONED
Body responsible for vetting candidates
"Their disqualification of reformist candidates highlights the barriers to political participation and reform in Iran."
📰 What Happened
The new Iranian parliament opened with a conservative majority, marked by protests from reformist representatives and anti-American chants. Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari criticized the disqualification of reformist candidates, reflecting ongoing political tensions.
- Conservatives hold more than 185 of the 290 seats in the parliament.
- Over 3,600 reformist candidates were disqualified from the elections.
💡 Why It Matters
🇮🇷 For Iran: The opening of the parliament underscores the deep divisions in Iranian politics and the challenges faced by reformists.
🌍 Regional: The conservative dominance may lead to more hardline policies, affecting relations with neighboring countries and regional stability.
🌐 International: The anti-American sentiments expressed during the session reflect ongoing tensions between Iran and the U.S., impacting diplomatic relations.
📚 Background
Iran's political system is characterized by a struggle between conservative and reformist factions, with significant influence from the Guardian Council over electoral processes.
Iranian elections
Political reform in Iran
📡 Source:
STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence:
70%
State media may emphasize government narratives and downplay dissenting views, so readers should consider multiple sources for a comprehensive understanding.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%
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