Questions abound over future of Ahmadinejad Despite his increasing isolation, former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been reappointed as a member of the Expediency Council. Iran
This young Iranian rapper may have cost Raisi the presidency Iranians wonder whether hard-line presidential candidate Ebrahim Raisi’s attempt to attract young voters by meeting with an underground rapper cost him the election. Iran
Iran questions US pivot back to region as Europe embraces Rouhani While the United States is increasingly engaged in a war of words with Iran, the bigger story may be the impact Washington’s more hawkish line may have on Europe’s approach toward Tehran and the consequences of a suggested US pivot back to the Middle East not materializing. Saudi Arabia
Iran's election results a win-win for Khamenei Even though the conservative candidate in Iran's presidential candidate did not win, Ayatollah Khamenei is looking for ways to spin the election as a victory for the conservatives. Iran
Who wanted Iran’s presidential debates to be prerecorded? Iran has held the first of three rounds of televised presidential debates ahead of the May 19 vote — but not without controversy about whether they should be aired live. Iran
Who was the winner of Iran’s first presidential debate? While the first round of Iran’s first presidential debates this year was supposed to be about social issues, it quickly turned into a battle on the economy and politics. Iran
The story behind the end of Ahmadinejad’s bid for third term Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been barred from seeking a third term on May 19. But was this because the Guardian Council disqualified him — or because it didn’t approve of his qualifications to run in this year’s race? Iran
Conservative presidential candidate paints bleak picture of Iran Ebrahim Raisi expressed support for economic policies that led to high inflation in Iran. Iran
Does Iran's Khamenei really have a preferred candidate? Ebrahim Raisi has been depicted as the Iranian supreme leader's candidate in both Western and Iranian media — but does Ayatollah Ali Khamenei really have a preference? Iran
Is Putin interfering in Iran’s presidential elections? Conservative presidential candidate Ebrahim Raisi’s meeting with a visiting Russian official has raised debate on Moscow’s potential interference in Iran’s May 19 vote. Russia
Why did over 1,600 Iranians sign up to run for president? Over 1,600 Iranians showed up at the Interior Ministry to register to run in the May 19 presidential election, fully aware that the Guardian Council will block their running. Iran
Iran's conservative presidential candidates pledge more cash handouts, jobs Presidential candidates Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Ebrahim Raisi focus on the economy and make pledges to create jobs to attract votes. Iran
Iran polling: Will vote see Rouhani-Ghalibaf rematch? Polls suggest incumbent Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will get a strong challenge from Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, but can cleric Ebrahim Raisi close the gap? Iran
Is conservative Iranian candidate reviving Ahmadinejad’s Cabinet? Ebrahim Raisi is increasingly leaning on officials from former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presidency. Iran
Is prominent conservative cleric really a threat to Rouhani? While Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and cleric Ebrahim Raisi have to some extent shared backgrounds in public service, the incumbent Iranian president’s greater experience in politics remains the biggest thorn in the side of his conservative opponents. Iran
Iran’s Guardian Council announces presidential candidate list The Guardian Council has given the green light to six candidates to run in Iran’s May 19 presidential election, with former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad being disqualified. Iran
