Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will challenge the disqualification of his top aide from next month’s presidential election, Iran’s state-run Press TV reported Wednesday.
Iran election hopefuls banned from race
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Ahmadinejad says will challenge ally’s ban from Iran election
DUBAI: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday he would take up the ban of his close aide from the June 14 presidential election with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iranian media reported.
Iran’s electoral watchdog on Tuesday disqualified Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie, Ahmadinejad’s former chief of staff, and moderate ex-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani from running in the vote, eliminating two powerful and potentially disruptive candidates and leaving the field dominated by hardliners loyal to Khamenei.
“I introduced Mr. Mashaie and I know him,” Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday, according to ISNA news agency. “He is a righteous person and beneficial for the country, and I believe he is capable.”
“In my opinion there will be no problem with the Leader and I will take up this issue until the last moment with him,” Ahmadinejad said. “I am hopeful the problem will be solved.”
Mashaie is viewed with suspicion by figures from Iran’s conservative establishment, who believe he heads a “deviant current” that seeks to sideline clerical authority.
They also believe that Ahmadinejad, who has fallen out with Iran’s conservatives since his disputed 2009 re-election and cannot seek a third consecutive term because of constitutional limits, seeks to maintain power through his ally.
Key pair barred from Iran election
Two prominent figures in Iran, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, are barred from standing in next month’s presidential election.
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Iran claims it hanged CIA, Mossad spies
Two men who the Iranian government said worked as spies for Israel and the United States were hanged Sunday morning, according to Iranian state news outlet Press TV.
Iran claims it hanged CIA, Mossad spies
Two men who the Iranian government said worked as spies for Israel and the United States were hanged Sunday morning, according to Iranian state news outlet Press TV.
Iran claims it hanged CIA, Mossad spies
Two men who the Iranian government said worked as spies for Israel and the United States were hanged Sunday morning, according to Iranian state news outlet Press TV.
Iran claims it hanged CIA, Mossad spies
Iran executes two men for spying
Iranian officials say two men have been executed after they were convicted of spying for Israel and the US.
Pakistan approves 100,000 tons of wheat for Iran to pay for power
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has authorised the export of 100,000 tons of wheat to Iran in trade not jeopardised by Western sanctions, to settle dues for electricity supplied to Pakistan’s energy-starved border areas, the commerce ministry said on Friday.
The shipment of 100,000 tons was to have been delivered to Iran in mid-February, but was delayed by preparations for May 11 elections.
“The wheat is being given to Iran against the outstanding payment of $ 53 million for electricity supplied to Pakistani border areas from the Iranian grid,” ministry spokesperson Mohammad Ashraf said.
“The interim Cabinet has approved the decision and exports will be initiated as early as possible.”
The European Union and the United States have imposed toughened sanctions meant to discourage Tehran’s nuclear programme, which they say has a military purpose. Iran rejects that claim, saying its programme aims at the peaceful production of electricity.
Western sanctions do not target food shipments, but financial measures have frozen Iranian companies out of much of the global banking system, hindering payments for imports, on which Iran relies for much of its food.
Pakistan is battling a chronic energy shortage, which is inflaming public anger and stifling industry. Power outages can last eight to 10 hours a day in cities, with much more frequent cuts in rural areas.
“Pakistan is an energy-starved country facing severe power cuts that are badly hampering industrial output,” Ashraf said. “Connecting far-flung areas to Pakistan’s grid is a costly affair.”
Electricity from Iran costs Pakistan around $ 3 million a month and is supplied to towns near the Iranian border, including the port city of Gwadar. Pakistan also says it is building a $ 7-billion gas pipeline with Iran, despite US pressure on Islamabad to back out of the project.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 18th, 2013.
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