Iran Presidential Elections: No Easy Victory for Rouhani

by Ali Reza Eshraghi Iran’s presidential elections have never been without drama. This year, the Guardian Council—a group tasked to approve candidates—set a new record for the number of disqualifications. Of the 1,636 individuals who registered, it approved only six.… Continue Reading

Iran’s Presidential Elections: Has Hassan Rouhani Met His Match?

by Shireen T. Hunter Until only a few weeks ago, Iran’s hardliners lacked a candidate of any stature in Iran’s forthcoming presidential elections in May 2017. These principlists floated names of people such as Saeed Jalili, a former negotiator on… Continue Reading

Women in Iran’s Parliament: Opportunities and Challenges

by Sussan Tahmasebi Iran’s tenth parliament will begin its term in June boasting many firsts, including the highest number of female parliamentarians. In Iran’s first round of parliamentary elections, 14 female MPs were elected, and, according to the results of… Continue Reading

An Election for Iran or the Supreme Leader?

by Yasaman Baji via IPS News As the five-day registration period for presidential candidates began here Tuesday, the question of whether Iran’s upcoming election will represent the will of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei or the people of Iran is… Continue Reading