Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


               Rafsanjani to Run In Iran's Presidential Election

   Former Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has registered
   for June`s presidential election.
   Mr. Rafsanjani, who was president from 1989 to 1997, is seen as a
   threat to Iran`s clerical elite around Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali
   Khamenei.
   President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has served two terms, is not
   eligible to run again. Mr. Ahmadinejad`s choice for the next Iranian
   president is his ally, hardline nationalist Esfandyar Rahim Mashaie.
   Other candidates include Ali Akbar Velayati, a top adviser to Ayatollah
   Khamenei on international affairs. and Iran`s chief nuclear negotiator,
   Saeed Jalili.
   More than 400 candidates have registered for elections but Iran`s
   Guardian Council - a body controlled by the supreme leader - decides
   who can stand.
   The results of the last presidential elections, in 2009, were disputed
   by the reformist opposition, triggering mass street protests.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/rafsanjani-to-run-in-irans-presidenti
   al-election/1659236.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/rafsanjani-to-run-in-irans-presidential-election/1659236.html