Iranian Vice President drops out of presidential race

Iranian presidential candidate and the Vice President of Iran Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi has withdrawn from the race just before the election day to support the three other hardline candidates, Report informs via Iran International.

In a series of posts on his X account, Ghazizadeh Hashemi said his decision aims to "consolidate the conservative faction and strengthen their collective chances in the upcoming election."

He threw his support behind his fellow hardline candidates Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Saeed Jalili, and Alireza Zakani, and called for unity among them in the battle against pro-reform candidate Masoud Pezeshkian.

Hashemi emphasized the importance of unity among the pro-revolution forces, highlighting his commitment to the cause.

"I am withdrawing from the race in order to maintain the cohesion of the revolutionary forces and in response to the written request of the Supreme Council of the Revolutionary Forces’ Consensus and some scholars and patriots."

"I hope my three brothers will also unite in the remaining time to strengthen the revolutionary front," he added.

Reflecting on his decision to enter the race, Hashemi said he intended to defend Ebrahim Raisi's legacy by running in the election.

"I felt that if a representative from the thirteenth government was not among the candidates, the rights of our martyr would not be fulfilled," he added.

Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi is a physician by training. A former member of parliament, he served as a member of its presidium and first deputy speaker. He ran for the presidency in 2021 but lost.

Former justice minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi, former health minister Massoud Pezeshkian, Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani, former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf are running for president.