Iran sets date for presidential election

Iran's Mehr news agency quoted Mr. Eslami as saying: "June 28 is the day of the 14th presidential election (in Iran's history)." According to Mr. Eslami, the Guardian Council has been asked to start registering presidential candidates before May 28.

Iran's Guardian Council (a super-parliamentary body consisting of members of the clergy) is responsible for vetting candidates for executive positions in the country's government, including the presidency of Iran.

Immediately after confirming the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and several other officials in a helicopter crash on May 19 in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning and appointed Vice President Mohammad Mokhber to temporarily take over Raisi's position. According to Article 131 of the Constitution, Mokhber will be responsible for leading the executive branch and must coordinate with the heads of the legislature and judiciary to prepare for the presidential election within a maximum of 50 days.

Earlier the same day, the Iranian Parliament announced that it would hold its first session after President Raisi's death on May 21.