Iran's Blacklisted Candidate: Who is Vahid Haqaniyan?

Official media reported today, Saturday, that "former Revolutionary Guard commander Vahid Haqaniyan, listed on a U.S. sanctions list, is among those who registered to run for president in Iran" following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi last month in a helicopter crash. Haqaniyan, a close aide to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, told reporters after registering his candidacy that his qualifications are based on "45 years of experience in the presidency and the Supreme Leader's office." The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Haqaniyan in 2019, along with 9 individuals from "Khamenei's inner circle responsible for increasing internal and external repression." Iran asserts that "most U.S. sanctions are based on baseless allegations." Former Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, a prominent conservative, was also among the candidates who registered, as well as Abdolnasser Hemmati, a former central bank governor. An election official stated, "There are 12 candidates who have registered since the registration process began on Thursday for the elections on June 28." The Guardian Council will announce the list of qualified candidates for competition on June 11.