Khamenei losing power as Iran prepares for presidential elections

Ali Rajab

Iran’s mullahs are experiencing a deep political crisis after the elections commission turned down the applications of a large number of the presidential hopefuls who got personal endorsement from Supreme Guide Ali Khamenei.

The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran said in a statement that the elections commission had turned down the supreme guide’s most important presidential hopefuls.

There is speculation, meanwhile, on the expected next move of the supreme guide. Some people expect the supreme guide to support new candidates or return some of those whose applications were turned down to the presidential race.

The organization lashed out at the Iranian regime for manipulating Iran’s political life.

It said Khamenei has the authority to appoint the head of the judiciary and has full control all branches of the government.

However, the organization raised questions about whether the latest developments would make the Iranian supreme guide stronger.

The Iranian opposition said the supreme guide is apparently empowered by these developments. It cited threats by the supreme guide in recent days to those who want to destabilize Iran.

The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran said, meanwhile, that Iran’s reformists have been affected by the same developments.

It added that the Iranian people is gaining strength against the same developments.

The organization vowed to move ahead with its struggle for bringing the Iranian regime down.

It referred to the protests that erupted in different parts of Iran in the past period and said these protests will accelerate the downfall of this regime.