Iran's Parliamentary Speaker Qalibaf Registers for Presidential Election

Iran's hard-line parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, registered for the upcoming presidential election on the final day of registration. Qalibaf, known for his controversial past as a Revolutionary Guard general, has previously failed in multiple presidential bids and recently served as the leader of Tehran.

Iran's hard-line parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, officially registered for the country’s upcoming presidential election on Monday, the final day for candidate registration.

Qalibaf steps into the race to replace Ebrahim Raisi, who tragically died in a helicopter crash on May 19.

The speaker, who gained notoriety for his role as a Revolutionary Guard general during violent crackdowns on university students in 1999 and reportedly ordering live gunfire on students in 2003, has a contentious history. Despite multiple failed presidential bids, Qalibaf has also served 12 years as Tehran’s mayor, where he expanded the city’s subway system and supported high-rise construction.