In Iran, former President Hassan Rouhani was excluded as a candidate in March elections for the powerful Council of Experts, which nominates the country's spiritual leader. Guardian Council lawyers did not approve Rouhani's request, the 75-year-old moderate politician, who was president of the Islamic Republic from 2013 to 2021, said today on the website.
Rouhani had already said that he had “embarked on a difficult path (…)” when he announced his candidacy in November for the elections, which will take place on March 1, along with Iran's parliamentary elections.
Statements critical of the government
The former president, who still has some political influence, had previously criticized the conservative government and the Revolutionary Guards – especially after the death of young Kurdish Mahsa Amini, in September 2022, led to protests across the country.
The Council of Experts is made up of 88 clergy elected for eight years. He is tasked with appointing the country's spiritual leader and overseeing its administration. Since 1989, Iran's spiritual leader has been 84-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.