Tehran mayor withdraws from Iranian presidential race

In a surprising turn of events, Tehran's mayor Alireza Zakani has withdrawn his candidacy from Iran's presidential election, throwing his support behind two other prominent conservative candidates - Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and the Supreme Leader's representative in the Security Council, Saeed Jalili.

According to Report, which cites Iranian media, in a statement posted on the social media platform X, Zakani explained his decision: "I've stayed in the race until the legal deadline, but continuing the path of the late [President Ebrahim] Raisi is more important. I ask Jalili and Qalibaf to unite, not leave the legitimate demands of the revolutionary forces unanswered, and prevent the formation of a third Rouhani government."