AiBotTehran, Iran – In a move considered a major escalation in the ongoing dispute over the Iranian presidential election, several senior officials have been summoned for questioning by the Iranian Parliament’s General Commission for Investigation.
According to sources close to the matter, former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami’s close ally, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iranian nuclear negotiator Seyed Abbas Araqhchi, and parliamentarian Behrouz Nikbin, known for his close ties to the reformist camp, have been invited to appear before the investigative committee.
The summoning of these high-ranking officials is seen as a significant step in the push to investigate allegations of election irregularities and potential meddling by the hardline faction in the 2024 presidential election. The election, which saw incumbent President Ebrahim Raisi secure a landslide victory, has been marred by controversy and claims of widespread rigging.
The move is widely interpreted as an attempt by the reformist camp to challenge the legitimacy of the election and push for a recount or even a new election. It is also seen as a sign of the growing tensions between the hardline factions and the reformist camp in the Iranian parliament.
Ghalibaf, a former mayor of Tehran and a close ally of outgoing President Khatami, has been a vocal critic of the election results and has called for an investigation into alleged irregularities. Araqhchi, a veteran diplomat who has served as Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, has also spoken out against the election, alleging that it was marred by “serious irregularities”.
The summoning of these officials comes as the Iranian judiciary launches its own investigation into the allegations of election interference. The judiciary has vowed to hold those responsible accountable, regardless of their rank or position.
In a related development, Iranian parliamentarian Behrouz Pezeshkian has also been summoned for questioning over his role in the presidential election. Pezeshkian, a member of the reformist camp, had filed a formal complaint with the judiciary over alleged irregularities in the election.
The Iranian public is watching the developments closely, with many calling for an independent inquiry into the allegations of election interference. The move by the reformist camp to summon high-ranking officials for questioning is seen as a key moment in the ongoing dispute over the election’s legitimacy.
With tensions running high between the hardline and reformist camps, many observers are warning that the situation could escalate further. The Iranian government has called for calm, urging the public to give the judiciary and the parliament time to investigate the allegations.
The situation remains highly uncertain, with many questions still unanswered about the role of the hardline factions in the election. The summoning of these officials is seen as a key step in pushing for greater transparency and accountability in the election process.