Iran’s hard-line parliament speaker Mohammad Qalibaf registers as a presidential candidate
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s hard-line parliament speaker registered Monday for country’s June 28 presidential election.
The entry of Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf brings a prominent candidate with close ties to the country’s parliamentary Revolution Guard into the race to replace President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash with seven others on May 19.
Qalibaf initially became speaker following a string of failed presidential bids and 12 years as the leader of Iran’s capital city, during which he built onto Tehran’s subway and supported the construction of modern high-rises. He was recently re-elected as speaker.
Many, however, know Qalibaf for his support, as a Revolutionary Guard general, for a violent crackdown on Iranian university students in 1999. He also reportedly ordered live gunfire to be used against Iranian students in 2003 while serving as the country’s police chief.