Iran Presidential Candidates Unveil Plans, Strategies as Election Looms

Candidates for the 14th presidential elections in Iran outlined their plans and programs in TV broadcasts to deal with economic and political problems after taking office.

Iran’s Interior Ministry released a final list of six candidates who will compete in this month’s presidential election. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, former chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, Masoud Pezeshkian, Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani, Amirhossein Qazi Zadeh Hashemi and former Interior and Justice minister Mostafa Pour Mohammadi will take part in the June 28 election.The election was originally slated for 2025 but was brought forward following the demise of President Seyed Ebrahim Rayeesi in a helicopter crash on May 19.

Qalibaf stressed in a TV program the need for “transformation” in all sectors of the country by means of “cybernetic management”.“Today, a cybernetic management can cause transformation in different areas,” he added.Regarding economic issues, he called for a detailed and in-depth management that is consistent with the policies of popularization, automation and transparency.Qalibaf said that he had chosen the slogan “service and progress” for his election campaign.He further emphasized that investment and wealth production happen in the light of progress in the country.The presidential hopeful pointed to the problems that people are facing in their livelihood, vowing to increase their purchasing power.He also pledged to focus on implementing Iran’s seventh National Development Plan (2023-2027).

Jalili said Iran is at a historical juncture, and that the country should use its many opportunities to solve its problems and achieve progress as well.“Today, we have a historic opportunity in front of us. A study of two trends has shown that we are at a historical juncture; the trend of world developments indicate the trend of Iranian people’s progress,” he stated.The presidential hopeful went on to say that these opportunities should be used to bring about more power, progress and prosperity.“We should recognize these opportunities and plan to make maximum use of them, so that the country’s problems are solved and progress that is in line with the competencies of the Iranian people is achieved, and this will not be possible except by the participation of all people and using everyone’s capacity,” he added.Jalili further considered “fiscal discipline” to be one of his main priorities if elected president, noting that as head of Iran’s Foreign Ministry Inspection Office thirty years ago, he experienced the same situation and came to the conclusion that unless fiscal discipline is achieved, most of the government departments will be disrupted.He also outlined that the second important topic he will follow up seriously in all sectors is the “comprehensive participation” of all strata of society in the development of the country.

Jalili pointed to “ocean economy” as one of the examples of the many opportunities the country has to generate growth, noting that many countries in the world that have less coastal areas and a weaker maritime position than Iran are benefiting from the oceans and seas much more than Iran.Pezeshkian said he pursues the policy of “stability”, noting that a change of direction would prevent the country from achieving the growth desired by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.“We are not going to change the direction and the general policy is stability,” the Iranian lawmaker asserted.Asked about the seventh National Development Plan, he replied, “We are not going to write a new plan and we are not going to announce a new policy in the country.”He further warned that instability would make domestic investors doubt whether to invest in the country and will push them to leave Iran.“The first step is … bringing all the people to the stage in the economic field and breaking the ice between the government and the people,” he continued.

Qazi Zadeh Hashemi said that the state economy should be gradually nationalized through a real privatization process.He noted that his campaign’s slogan is “the government of people and the government of families.”Qazi Zadeh Hashemi, who is the head of the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, added that he is committed to the ideals of the late President Rayeesi, including justice, equal opportunities, and the fight against corruption.

Pour Mohammadi called for unity among Muslims in support of the Palestinian nation, particularly the oppressed people in the Gaza Strip.He emphasized the need to establish a new Islamic civilization and restore the dignity and glory of the Islamic world, while calling for solidarity and unity in support of Palestinians.“Let’s join hands to defend each other’s rights and strengthen our fraternal relations, develop our common interests, stabilize and reinforce our security and stability,” he said.“We should stand united against the enemies and work to defend the oppressed people of Palestine and the people of Gaza and build a new Islamic civilization and restore glory to our Islamic nations,” he added.