Iran

[KheibarShekan]

Iran’s presidential candidates shape two fronts in first debate

During the debate, the candidates presented contrasting views on the state of Iran’s economy and its relationship with the world. Two candidates, Pezeshkian and Pour-Mohammadi argued that the economy's improvement is contingent on normalising international relations, while the other four maintained that it can be bolstered through domestic manufacturing, even under strict sanctions.

Pour-Mohammadi said the economy cannot be separated from politics, saying the Islamic Republic needs to avoid confrontation with other countries and employ effective diplomacy to open up new opportunities, echoing the call from Pezeshkian.

Pezeshkian acknowledged the negative impacts of sanctions, saying it has hindered foreign investment and caused substantial loss in oil exports, not to mention the costs of circumventing the bans.

Apart from Qalibaf, who remained neutral and refused to disagree with any of the candidates, the other three directly attacked Pezeshkian and Pour-Mohammadi, accusing them of spreading despair and linking the country’s prosperity to foreigners.

Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani led the hardline front, blaming the two for what he called pursuing a “diplomacy of begging” in a snide hit at former Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, who said he would return to the foreign ministry if Pezeshkian wins.

Zakani said normal relations do not necessarily guarantee economic prosperity, citing Turkey which is experiencing high inflation rates despite such international ties. The Tehran mayor, who has been heavily involved in selling government land and other potential corruption cases, is not well admired by many in the Iranian capital.

Echoing the words of the leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he said sanctions should be neutralised inside the country without giving a specific goal for how to reach that.

Another hardline contender, Amir-Hossein Qazizadeh Hashemi said the country needs “internal power”, not one that can be harmed when a “paper” is torn by a government, referring to the US jumping out of the nuclear agreement.

He referred to the 2015 nuclear deal under which international sanctions were lifted but were later reimposed when the US withdrew in 2018.

Jalili rejected the idea that economic problems are rooted in sanctions, saying the US so-called “maximum pressure” has failed thanks to Raisi’s policies.

The four candidates continually praised Raisi’s performance, putting all the blame on his predecessor, Hassan Rouhani. In Iranian culture, it is poor form to attack the dead predecessor, despite the fact the national currency plummeted under his watch and he was president amid killings on the streets from the death of Mahsa Amini.

Pezeshkian and Pour-Mohammadi did not idolise Raisi or make any critical remarks, clearly marking their difference from the hardline conservatives.

Throughout the debate, Qalibaf cleverly avoided any confrontation and focused on his own plans.
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https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ira...r-BB1orDII