General Yahya Rahim Safavi, the top military advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has declared that Iran's next president must align closely with the Supreme Leader's directives.
Speaking to state media, Safavi emphasized that the ideal candidate must view himself as "the second-in-command" to Khamenei, warning against any divergence between the executive actions and Khamenei's vision.
"People should elect a president whose views do not conflict with those of the Leader of the Revolution and who considers himself the second-in-command."
The statement comes in the wake of former President Ebrahim Raisi's sudden death in a helicopter crash on May 19, which has precipitated a snap election scheduled for June 28.
The Guardian Council, which answers to Khamenei, has disqualified a significant majority of hopefuls, permitting only six to run, five of whom are staunch loyalists to Khamenei. The sole moderate reformist cleared to contest, Masoud Pezeshkian, a current parliament member, has notably swayed public sentiment by pledging unwavering loyalty to Khamenei during his campaign, much to the disappointment of reformist supporters.
Safavi's remarks mirror the broader strategy of Iran's leadership to consolidate power around a singular ideological line, especially as the country faces escalating domestic discontent and international pressures. His tenure as the former chief of the Revolutionary Guards further bolsters the weight of his statements, highlighting the military's integral role in shaping and securing the country’s political landscape.
