Today is the day of silence in Iran. Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, one among the six candidates who are vying to become Iran’s next president, has quit the race, ISNA reports.
Hashemi, a former parliamentarian and vice president, announced his withdrawal from the contest in a statement on Wednesday.
He specified the reason for his entering the competition as defending the legacy of former president Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash on May 19 alongside his entourage, prompting the country to schedule snap presidential election for June 28.
Through his statement, Hashemi said he prided himself on having had the opportunity to work alongside Raisi.
He stated that he had “spared no effort” to defend the former chief executive’s track record during his time in the race.
The candidates remaining in the race are Saeed Jalili, a former lead nuclear negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iranian Parliament speaker, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, former interior minister, Masoud Pezeshkian, former health minister, and Alireza Zakani, mayor of Tehran.
