Iran's first VP drops out of presidential race

Es’haq Jahangiri, the Iranian first vice president and a candidate in the country’s 12th presidential election, has dropped out of the race to back the incumbent President Hassan Rouhani.

Jahangiri issued a statement on Tuesday, saying he decided to enter the presidential race at senior reformists’ discretion and after consultation with President Rouhani to clarify the country’s situation “at the beginning and along the path that we have taken.”

“At the current juncture, I consider supporting Rouhani and a firm vote for him as support for the powerful Iranian nation, which is entitled to pin its hope on [having] a better future,” Jahangiri said.

He called on the Iranian nation to massively participate in the 12th presidential election and help an administration that seeks to decisively carry out major tasks.

Jahangiri issued the statement after the Reformists’ Supreme Policymaking Council sent a letter to him calling for his withdrawal from the race to support the incumbent president.

Iran will simultaneously hold its 12th presidential election and the 5th City and Village Councils Elections on May 19.

On April 20, the Iranian Interior Ministry announced the final list of six candidates vetted by the Guardian Council to run for president.

The list included Rouhani; Jahangiri; Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf; member of Iran’s Expediency Council, Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim; former deputy judiciary chief, Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi; and former vice president, Mostafa Hashemi-Taba.

However, the Tehran mayor issued a statement on Monday announcing that he was to withdraw from the presidential race while backing principlist candidate, Raeisi.

EA