In a statement issued on Monday, Lankarani declared his withdrawal in favor of another presidential hopeful, Saeed Jalili, who is the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC). The two hopefuls held a meeting prior to the announcement.
Lankarani, who is Iran’s former health minister, said, “By dropping my bid for the presidential election, I announce my support for Mr. Jalili.”
Iran’s principlist Perseverance Front had chosen Lankarani as the frontrunner hopeful for the 11th presidential election, which will be held on June 14.
A total of 686 hopefuls registered from May 7 to 11 for the election.
Iran’s Guardian Council, a 12-member body, is tasked with vetting hopefuls for candidacy and confirming the election results. The Council is expected to announce its final list of approved candidates later on Tuesday.
Official campaigning will start two days after the Council releases the list.
The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term in a national election.
The Iranian Constitution stipulates that presidential candidates must be religious or political figures, be Iranian by origin, have Iranian citizenship, have managerial skills, have no criminal record, be trustworthy and pious, and have firm belief in the fundamental principles of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the country’s official religion.
