US Secretary of State John Kerry[/caption]United States continues its criticism against Irans upcoming presidential election, something that Tehran sees as blatant interference in its internal affairs.
The US Secretary of State John Kerry on a visit to Israel on Friday, called into question the credibility of Iran's presidential election, criticizing the disqualification of candidates by Irans top constitutional supervisory body, the Guardian Council.
He accused the body of choosing candidates representing the interests of the Iranian establishment.
On Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Araqchi strongly criticized the United States for making baseless remarks about the countrys electoral process and interfering in its domestic affairs.
The Iranian nation and the [worlds] public opinion have witnessed over half a century of US support for dictatorial and despotic regimes in the region, and do not care for their obsolete claims in support of democracy, Araqchi stated.
The comments came after US State Department spokesman, Patrick Ventrell, criticized Irans Guardian Council over the vetting process that has disapproved hundreds of presidential hopefuls.
On Tuesday, Irans Interior Ministry issued the list of hopefuls approved by the Guardian Council, which is tasked with vetting hopefuls for candidacy and confirming the election results.
A total of 686 individuals registered from May 7 to 11 for the Islamic Republics 11th presidential election, which will be held on June 14.
The candidates include Iranian lawmaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili, Secretary of Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei, President of the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Council Hassan Rohani, former First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, former Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Gharazi and former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati.
The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term in a national election.
By Press TV
The Iran Project is not responsible for the content of quoted articles.
