- Supreme Leader Khamenei highlights the importance of high voter turnout.
- Iran’s presidential election set for Friday following President Raisi’s death.
- The next president should uphold Islamic principles and drive national progress.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, on Tuesday underscored the critical importance of a strong voter turnout in the country’s upcoming presidential election, scheduled for Friday. Addressing thousands of Iranians from various provinces gathered in Tehran, Khamenei highlighted the significance of this election, which coincides with the religious holiday of Eid al-Ghadir.
In his speech, Khamenei emphasized that the Iranian people face an important test with this election, whose importance he described as greater than ever. He stressed that maximum participation and the selection of the most qualified candidate would bring pride to the nation.
Detailing the characteristics of the “most qualified” candidate, Khamenei stated that the next president should firmly believe in the principles of the Islamic Revolution, demonstrate efficiency and energy in their responsibilities, and possess the ability to utilize the country’s diverse resources to drive progress. He also noted that Iran has always managed to advance without relying on foreign entities and that the Iranian people would never allow others to determine their fate.
Khamenei’s call for high participation comes three days before the 14th presidential election, which was rescheduled following the sudden death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19 in East Azarbaijan. The candidates vying for the presidency include Alireza Zakani, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, Masoud Pezeshkian, Saeed Jalili, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi.
The Supreme Leader also mentioned that, since its inception, Iran has sought to engage with the entire world, with only a few exceptions, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to independence and self-reliance.
