Rafsanjani, Jalili Among 360 To Register In Iran Presidential Race

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

Iran's former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and chief nuclear negotiator Said Jalili are among some 360 people registered to run in Iran's June 14 presidential election.

Rafsanjani is disliked by regime hard-liners for criticizing the crackdown on protesters after President Mahmud Ahmadinejad’s disputed 2009 reelection.

Jalili has headed Iran's Supreme National Security Council since 2007 and is close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

May 11 was the last day to register.

Iran's Guardians Council is expected to approve the final list of candidates in 10 days.

Others to register include reformist former Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref and former parliament speaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, an ally of Khamenei.

Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, presidential adviser Ali Akbar Javanfekr, and Ahmadinejad's brother Davood Ahmadinejad also registered, along with pro-reform activist Ebrahim Asgharzadeh.

Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP