Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Media ID: 55304300
Caption:

Advisor to the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and hopeful conservative presidential candidate, Ali Akbar Velayati (C) waves as he leaves after a campaign rally in Tehran on June 2, 2013 (AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI)

Iranian candidates deny coalition speculation

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Jun 4, 2013 | Middle East

London, Asharq Al-Awsat—As election day in Iran approaches, different candidates from across the political spectrum are pushing back against speculation that they intend to drop out of the race and back other candidates. The spokesman for a coalition of reformists...

Media ID: 55301384
Caption:

An Iranian cleric arrives at the election headquarters of interior ministry to register his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election, under portraits of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, left, and supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, May 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Guardian Council extends deadline to approve final candidates

by Asharq Al-Awsat | May 16, 2013 | Middle East

London, Asharq Al-Awsat—Guardian Council spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei announced yesterday that “the deadline for vetting presidential candidates has been extended for another 5 days, until May 21.” The Guardian Council will inform the interior ministry of the final...

Media ID: 55299114
Caption:

In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 photo, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left, holds hands with chief of staff and preferred presidential candidate Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, during a press conference in Tehran, Iran. A poster with the portrait of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is seen at right. (AP Photo/Fars News Agency, Mohammad Hassanzadeh)

Opinion: Tehran Nervous as Election Process Starts

by Amir Taheri | May 10, 2013 | Opinion

On Tuesday, Iran’s presidential election was kick started, with would-be candidates beginning to register at the start of a 40-day sprint to polling day. By all accounts, the Tehran leadership is nervous about the whole exercise. On the eve of registration, Supreme...

Media ID: 55298137
Caption:

Iranian air force commanders saluting Khamenei during a meeting in Tehran on February 7, 2013. Source: AFP Photo/HO/Iranian Supreme Leaders Website

Opinion: The “Cursed Three” and the “Supreme Leader”

by Amir Taheri | Apr 19, 2013 | Opinion

During pre-television times, Iranians, especially in smaller towns, owed much of their entertainment to bands of clowns roaming the countryside. Any spot could be used as a stage: a village square, a bazaar shop-front or the courtyard of a “holy” shrine. Sometimes,...