Hardliner Ebrahim Raisi to Run in Iran Election, Could Hurt Biden s Nuclear Deal Hopes
On 5/15/21 at 9:37 AM EDT
Conservative hardliner Ebrahim Raisi has registered as a candidate in Iran s presidential elections which he is favored to win, potentially complicating talks between President Joe Biden and the Islamic Republic over its nuclear program.
Biden wants to restore the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) struck between Tehran and Washington, DC in 2015 which promised Tehran economic incentives for curbing its nuclear program.
Biden s predecessor, Donald Trump scuppered the deal, reimposing heavy sanctions to try to strongarm Tehran into new talks. Ongoing talks in Vienna between Tehran and the P4 + 1 group of countries has revived hopes of both a new nuclear deal as well as a rapprochement between Iran and the United States.
Iran’s presidential elections don’t matter. Here’s why. IranElections2021 by Shahin Milani
Iranian President Rouhani on Military Influence April 28, 2021, Tehran, Iran: Iran s President HASSAN ROUHANI attending a cabinet meeting in the capital Tehran. Iran s foreign minister said he favors a smart adjustment between the military and diplomatic spheres, in his first public reaction to leaked audio of him bemoaning the military s influence. Mohammad Javad Zarif also said he regretted that the leak had triggered domestic infighting, amid a furious reaction from conservative figures and media outlets. Credit Image: Iranian Presidency/ZUMA Wire T
The Islamic Republic will hold its thirteenth presidential election on June 18. The Guardian Council, a twelve-member body comprised of six clerics and six attorneys, will announce the list of candidates allowed to run for president. While the f