Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, President Hassan Rouhani, First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, senior advisor to the Leader Ali Larijani, and Guardian Council Secretary Ahmad Jannati were among the prominent figures who cast their votes.

President Rouhani visited the election headquarters set up at the Ministry of Interior to get firsthand information about the voting procedure. In the visit, the president was briefed by Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli, the interior minister.

Rouhani also cast his vote at the election headquarters.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the parliament speaker, also cast his vote at the Abouzar district in Tehran. He also responded to various questions posed by reporters where he attended to vote.

He called elections are the result of “religious democracy” in Iran, saying that Iranians were able to preserve the republic and the Islamic system through their efforts.

“Elections are a great opportunity for the people to change the face of the country’s management in the face of their criticism. Therefore, it is their duty to make a careful and informed choice and study in this regard, because they want to hand over the administration of the country to their representatives at national and local levels for 4 years,” he remarked.

Qalibaf stated that hopefully the future administration will be able to work with the other two branches of government (Parliament and Judiciary) in a way that will satisfy Iranians with the priority of solving economic problems.

The top lawmaker urged people to participate in the election if they really seek a resolution of the problems.

“The solution is not to get angry with the ballot boxes, but to be present at the ballot boxes. And with a good choice and follow-up, let’s join hands so that we can make a change in the field of management,” he stated.

Seyyed Abbas Araqchi, head of the Iranian delegate at the Vienna nuclear deal talks, cast his vote at the Iranian embassy in Austria.

He expressed hope that Iranians will see a widespread participation of the people at the ballot box.

“This will certainly increase the authority, strength and power of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In the field of foreign policy, I see firsthand that when people are behind the system and show themselves in various fields and participate in elections, we are present in the international arena with more strength, authority and dignity,” he added, hoping that the outcome of the election will bring dignity to the Iranian people and would lead to interaction with the world’s countries.

Ali Akbar Velayati, the senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, also cast his vote.  The former foreign minister said that in such a situation where Iran “has climbed the ladder of power one after another, today, not only in 40 years but also in the last 400 years, Iran has been in the most powerful position.”

“It is very important that we maintain power. To maintain power, as we relied on the power of the people, the leadership of Imam Khomeini and the Leader, we need the same now,” he added.

Velayati said that Iranians votes are not considered as an ordinary one.

“Today, our vote is the most important vote and it is a religious duty,” he noted.

Saeed Jalili, who withdrew from the presidential race on Wednesday afternoon, cast his vote at Fatemi Mosque at Khazaneh district in south Tehran. He stated that the first step for the country to “leap” is the “presence of the republic” at the ballot box.

“High participation of the people will be the drivers of progress and leap. Today is a great day for the Iranian nation to rise high for the ‘leap of Iran’. The more glorious the vote, the higher the turnout, and consequently, the longer the leap and the more beautiful the outlook.”

Jalili stated that every vote of the people is “a precision-guided missile that will target the threats, sanctions and malice of the enemies.” He added that each vote will increase the power and lead to further development of the country.

Mohsen Rezaei, the presidential contender who cast his vote in the afternoon, stated that the presence of the people in the elections will strengthen Iran’s power and security, and the people vote to build the future of the country.

Admiral Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council who cast his vote in the afternoon, said that whatever step is taken as a symbol of democracy to increase the participation of people in the elections, is a step towards increasing the authority, security and legitimacy of the Islamic system and a necessary condition for progress and increasing the international position of Iran.

Shamkhani said that he believes the true winner of the election is the people.

“Any result in the upcoming elections is respectable because it is the opinion of the majority of participants in the elections, but more importantly, is the principle of the presence and participation of the people,” he added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who had attended the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, cast his vote at the Iranian Consulate in Turkey. He apologized for all the shortcomings the incumbent administration may have had.

“The right to self-determination is one of the most important rights that our people gained with the Revolution, and the republic is one of the most important achievements of the Islamic Revolution,” Zarif stated.

He added that there may be grievances due to problems and shortcomings, but he believes that the people need to participate in determining their own destiny.

He said that according to him the ballot box is the best place to determine the fate and future of children and the path of the country.

“I hope that all our compatriots will take part in this work with interest. Our people have always proved the mistakes of political forecasters, and this time it will again be proven. We have tried to have a polling station wherever possible and to enable Iranians abroad to participate in the elections and determine their own destiny and future with their active participation, because this is the right of the people,” he added.

Criticizing the Canadian government for lack of cooperation with Iran to hold the presidential election despite efforts made by the Foreign Ministry, Zarif said that the Canadian government must be responsible for its actions.

Iranian First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri also cast his ballots at the election headquarters. He then responded to various questions from reporters.

He said that according to the reports of the Ministry of Interior, the elections are held in full security and peace and in accordance with the health protocols and that the people are present at the ballot boxes as usual.

Jahangiri also expressed hope that the people would elect a candidate who could resolve domestic problems and handle international challenges.

Presidential candidate Abdolnasser Hemmati, who cast his vote at Hosseiniyah Ershad in Tehran, said, “If I do not get elected, I will still serve the people and follow my slogans.

Whoever becomes president must bring the development and prosperity of the country to a higher place.”

Hamid Baeidi Nejad, Iran’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, said on his Instagram account, “At a time when we are on the verge of complete defeat of the sanctions policy with the fierce resistance of the whole nation, it is necessary to ensure the country’s interaction and development by attending the ballot boxes to determine the fate of the country and ensure the future of the youth. Our dear people have complaints about the rightful and unfulfilled expectations, but the grievances with the ballot boxes will only worsen the situation. Today it is up to us to determine our destiny, but tomorrow is definitely too late.”

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Polling stations in Iran were opened on Friday morning at 07:00 am local time for the 13th presidential election, the 6th city and village and council elections, as well as the Parliament and the Assembly of Experts’ midterm elections in some constituencies. The stations continued to be open until midnight with a renewal of voting time for a few hours in the cards.

Four presidential candidates were on the ballots: Judiciary chief Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, Secretary of the Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei, Amir-Hossein Qazizadeh-Hashemi, and former Governor of Central Bank of Iran Abdolnaser Hemmati. Initially, there were seven candidates in the race, but three of them withdrew in favor of the remaining candidates in the last days of the presidential campaigns.

In addition to the presidential election, voters elected members for some vacant seats at the Parliament and the Expediency Council. Furthermore, there was a fierce competition for the seats of city and village councils across the country. The competition is of real interest to voters and contenders alike as it directly affects the everyday life of millions of citizens all across the country.

More than 59,310,000 voters were eligible to cast their votes. Among them, about 1,392,000 were first-time voters. Nearly 3.5 million Iranians living abroad were also eligible to cast their votes in polling stations set up by the Iranian Foreign Ministry in 133 diplomatic missions. Inside Iran, voters were required to show their national birth certificate and an ID card called National Card to vote for their favorite candidates. The expatriates, however, can vote using their passports as well.

A number of senior Iranian diplomats participated in the elections while being abroad. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif cast his vote in a ballot box in the Turkish resort city of Antalya, where he is holding diplomatic meetings in the framework of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, an event promoted by Turkey as the Turkish version of the World Economic Forum and the Munich Security Conference.

Seyyed Abbas Araqchi, Zarif’s political aide who is leading the Iranian negotiating team in the Vienna nuclear talks, also participated in the elections in the Austrian capital.

Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Saeed Khatibzadeh said Friday morning that he so far has not received any reports of election violations abroad, adding, “I assure you that polling stations will be open so that the last person who is interested can vote.”

Determining election

The polls kicked off early morning with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution casting his vote and addressing the nation shortly. Speaking after casting his vote, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, said, “It is the people who are controlling what is happening today. It is the people who are determining the country’s future for the coming years by voting.”

Ayatollah Khamenei participated in “the 13th Presidential election,” “the 6th elections for the Islamic city and village councils,” “the midterm elections for the 5th Assembly of Experts” and “the midterm elections for the 11th Islamic Consultative Assembly” and cast his vote at the ballot box in the first moments after the casting of ballots commenced, according to the khamenei.ir.

The Leader referred to the importance of participation of the people in determining the fate of the country on this day. Calling the people’s participation in the elections a wise action, the Leader went on to say, “We repeatedly invite people to participate in the elections. The result of their presence primarily affects the people themselves. Of course, the people’s turnout will also help to gain major advantages for the country in the international arena. However, the ones who mostly benefit from voting are the people.”

In saying that every single vote definitely matters, Ayatollah Khamenei advised the people, “You should participate and do this with a pure, divine intention. I advise you to do this important task at the earliest possible [time]. The sooner you do this, the better.”

In referring to the anniversary of the birth of Imam Ridha (pbuh), the Leader expressed hope that the election day will be a “day of celebration” for the Iranian people and that the nation will benefit from the election. In the end, the Leader thanked the election officials and the journalists who were present.

In addition to the Leader, almost all other high-ranking officials, including President Hassan Rouhani and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf cast their votes and called on the people to do the same. They underlined the importance of elections in empowering the country both internally and externally.

After casting his vote, President Rouhani expressed hope that the current election will result in disappointing the enemies.

“This election is important,” the president said, adding, “Presidential elections are held every four years in the country and are an important matter given the broad powers and responsibilities set out in the law for the president.”

Rouhani acknowledged that the Iranian people are grappling with a host of economic issues but he underlined that “elections are important and that we must go to the polls and cast votes despite problems.”

“I wish we did not have any problems from the day of registration in the elections and we saw more people today. But people know how important these elections are for the country, their own destiny and the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the president noted, pointing to the importance of the international implications of the election.

He added, “I think there are only a few countries in the world whose elections are of interest to the world, otherwise most of the countries in the world when they hold elections are mainly important to their own people. But there are several countries in the world whose elections are of interest to the whole world and they want to understand the participation of the people and who is elected and how it will be. The Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the most important countries and it has been like that for 42 years and it is like that today.”

He pointed out that “People should be aware that the whole world today is paying attention to the ballot box, the queues of people to cast their votes. God willing, we will make our friends all over the world happy, all Iranians happy and our enemies disappointed.”

This election is of real importance for a number of reasons. First, it is held after four years of American sever economic pressure on Iran under Donald Trump, who unilaterally pulled the U.S. out of a 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). With a stroke of a pen in May 2018, Trump launched the so-called “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, re-imposing sweeping economic sanctions on the country with the aim of bringing it to its knees. The Trump administration pinned too much hope on driving a wedge between the Iranian people and political establishment through exerting economic pressure. The endgame, many observers believed, was to bring down the establishment by fomenting social unrest and bread riots.

To Trump’s consternation, the Iranians didn’t revolt and continued to support their political system despite economic hardship. This election was the latest indication that the Iranian people still back the Islamic Republic. Ordinary Iranians turned out in large numbers to vote for the candidates they believe are well suited to best serve them. With a stroke of the pen, they are determining their destiny at the ballot box.

Second, the Iranian election is also emblematic of a convivial, healthy political process. In the run-up to the election, Iranian media outlets and social media platforms were abuzz with a heated debate over the electoral process on the whole. The episode began when the Guardian Council, a legal body in charge of vetting the election process, disqualified well-placed figures from running for office. Some commentators accused the vetting body of partisan practices while others underscored the legality of the disqualifications. Some even lauded the body’s courageous decision to disqualify the likes of Ali Larijani, indicating the legally strict procedures for the vetting process. Larijani currently serves as the Leader’s advisor and disqualifying him, proponents argued, sent a message that no one is above the law, even if it was a person as highly-placed as Larijani.

Moreover, the debate even included fervent calls from some critics to shun the vote. But as the polls opened in the morning, people flocked to cast their votes in complete ignorance of these calls. Unofficial reports suggested that nearly 10 million votes were cast in the boxes until mid-day, with some polling stations reporting high voter turnout and, in some cases, shortage of ballot papers.

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Five candidates, if some of them do not withdraw from the race in the last moments in the favor of other candidates, are to compete for the top seat in the country. It is the 13th presidential election in the country and it is expected massive turnout despite negative propaganda from the foreign-based opposition groups.

Hojjatoleslam Seyed Ebrahim Raisi is the favorite to win the race in competition with two more principalist rivals, Saeed Jalili and Hashemi Ghazizadeh, as well as the former Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati and Secretary of Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaee.

As Election Day draws near, the country’s politicians with both the Reformist and Principlist camps, officials, military men, religious minorities, and prominent public figures have joined voices to call for a high turnout in the election.

On Wednesday, President Hassan Rouhani called on everyone to come to the ballot boxes, regardless of any complaints that they may have about a certain institution of the administration’s performance.

A high turnout, Rouhani said, would help strengthen the foundations of Iran’s Islamic establishment and boosts the country’s power.

Meanwhile, a group 600 senior Iranian Sunni Muslim figures have written to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, vowing to spare no effort to increase the turnout.

In a letter sent to the Leader on Wednesday, the Sunni Muslim figures — including clerics and imams of Friday Prayers — described elections as “a manifestation of power and a clear sign of the establishment begin both Islamic and republic.”

The Sunni Muslims said the Iranian nation will, God willing, add another “golden page to their own record of honors” by taking part en masse in the upcoming election.

The Sunni figures promised that they would leave no stone unturned to encourage all people, especially the Sunni Muslim community, to go to the ballot boxes on Friday.

“We announce to Your Excellency that the Iranian people, regardless of their ethnicity and faith, view voting as a right and a duty, with a proper understanding of the world’s current sensitive juncture, which has seen constant conspiracies of the global arrogance front and international Zionism [against the country,” the letter said.

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Pointing to the importance of the presidential elections, the family said the Iranian nation is now facing “another test” for upholding “religious democracy”.

The statement said from the view of Lt. General Soleimani, who sacrificed his life for Islam and Iran, in elections it is “the Islamic Republic” which is important and political parties and factions come next.

It added today two groups are eying the elections: those who love Iran and the Islamic Revolution, including the proudful resistance front, and the enemies who are against the progress and independence of Iran.

The family said as the people’s turnout in the funeral procession for the martyr general was “historic” they are sure that the people will also add another “golden page” to the history of the Iranian nation through their “epic” participation in the election on Khordad 28 (June 18).

“We the family of Haj Qassem Soleimani press the hand of you, the dear nation of Iran, for massive participation ‘in the election’ and voting for the most qualified person,”  the statement concluded.

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He promised in the final debate held on Saturday that he will publish his economic revival plan soon to let people know he is determined to “perform great surgeries” on the Iranian economy.

He soon acted on his promise publishing the first volumes of his plans, which is focused on economic reform.

Rezaei has paid a great deal of attention to economy in all his remarks and broadcasts, with particular attention on the youth, housing and cash subsidy.

In the final presidential debate, he said economy needs “two surgeries”: reform within the system and reengineer the economy.

He reiterated that if corruption is rooted out, he can pay cash subsidy to 40 million Iranians which is 450,000 tomans.

Rezaei added that he has drafted a plan to take “Iran forward,” repeating that he will keep his promises.

Rezaei who had run unsuccessfully for the presidential post two times in the past also vowed to connect the youth to the banks to get long-term loans with low-interest rates.

He stated that his administration will base education system on schools and. The presidential aspirant has also said that women will benefit from cheap internet to sell goods and promote their business.

He has also promised to provide cheap housing for teachers to take a burden off of their shoulders.

He has promised that the share of the women in economy must be increased, stating that he has a modern plan.

Calling his government “pragmatic and strategic with plans based on scientific research,” it was expected from him to publish his plans.

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“Iran will not face any security issues at the time of elections. We are ready for prevention in possible cases,” the Iranian interior minister said.

Rahmani Fazli predicted a high turnout of voters in the elections on June 18.

In relevant remarks earlier this week, Rahmani Fazli said that the number of polling stations and voting hours will increase for people to participate in the June 18 presidential elections to be serve health protocols and social distancing rules.

Today, a joint meeting was held between Iran’s Election Office and the central executive apparatus so as to review reports and comments over the 2021 Iran presidential election, Rahmani Fazli told reporters.

Regarding the security issues of the election process and its necessary measures, a comprehensive report was submitted in this meeting, he said, adding, “Based on continuous observance, we will not face any special security issue during the election in the current situation.”

Rahmani Fazli also referred to measures related to observing health protocols, saying that in order to observe health protocols and social distance measures, it was decided that the number of poll stations and the voting hours will be increased.

All agents in poll stations must have a certificate of negative test so as not to spread the virus, the official added.

The Iranian interior ministry on May 25 declared the names of 7 hopefuls qualified by Iran’s vetting body, the Guardian Council, to run in the presidential race.

The 7 approved candidates include Iran’s Judiciary Chief Seyed Ebrahim Raeisi, Secretary of Iran’s Expediency Council and former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei, Iranian reformist politician and former Governor of Isfahan Province Mohsen Mehr Alizadeh, former secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Saeed Jalili, Iranian Member of the Parliament Alireza Zakani, Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Abdolnasser Hemmati and Parliament’s Vice-Speaker Seyed Amir Hossein Qazizadeh Hashemi.

The disapproved candidates had the opportunity to protest at their disqualification vote and the qualified candidates can start their campaign as of May 25 until 24 hours before elections.

Several candidates, including former Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan and former Oil Minister Rostam Qassemi, dropped out of the race in Raeisi’s favor before the Guardian Council declared its decision on their qualification.

Raeisi is known to be the favorite pick in this election after he gathered fame in systematic aide to the poor when he headed the Shiite Islam’s 8th Imam, Hazrat Ali Ibn-e Moussa’s endowment Institution, and then in fighting corruption during his present career as the Judiciary Chief. He was facing mounting calls by his supporters and associated political figures to join the 2021 presidential race, with a top body of Principlists now backing him as their top choice but he has declared himself as an independent candidate.
He served as attorney general from 2014 to 2016, and was deputy Judiciary chief from 2004 to 2014. He was also prosecutor and deputy prosecutor of Tehran in the 1980s and 90s.

Raeisi became a household name in Iran in 2017 when he ran as a Principlist candidate in the presidential election. He lost the vote to Rouhani.

As the Judiciary chief, Raeisi has launched a widespread anti-corruption campaign. He drew up laws to protect women against domestic violence.

The Constitutional Council — also known as the Guardian Council — is a body of Islamic and legal jurists that acts in many ways as a Supreme Court.

Half of the body’s 12 members are legal jurists. They are nominated by the head of the Iranian Parliament and put to the vote of the Parliament, while the rest are specialists in Islamic law, and are appointed by the country’s highest-ranking authority, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Membership in the Council is for phased six-year terms, which means half the membership changes every three years at random.

The Council affirms or rejects any interpretation of the law made in bills passed by parliament. The members sitting on the Council vet the compatibility of the legislation with the Constitution and its Islamic basis.

Any legislation rejected by the Council will be passed back to the Parliament, which will have to rewrite the proposed bill if it wants it to proceed with it. Disagreements between the two bodies are referred to the Expediency Council for a final decision.

Another one of the Council’s tasks is to supervise elections. All candidates standing for election and those for the Assembly of Experts — another supreme body — must secure the Constitutional Council’s approval before they can join the race.

Iran will simultaneously hold the 13th presidential election and the 6th City and Village Councils Elections on June 18.

The election in which voters will pick a president for a four-year term will be held as the country is still grappling with the COVID-19 outbreak.

As stipulated in the Constitution, the President is elected for a four-year term by direct vote, and is allowed only two successive terms, although he can run for a third nonconsecutive term.

To run for president, a candidate must satisfy six key qualifications outlined in the Constitution, namely being an Iranian national and of Iranian origin, having “administrative capacity and resourcefulness” besides a good past record and the qualities of trustworthiness and piety. The President must also have a firm belief in the fundamental principles of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Islam, the official religion of the country.

Hopefuls need the approval of the Constitutional Council — a panel of six theologians and six legal experts — for running in presidential elections.

Presidents are elected with a majority of the vote. If no candidate manages to secure the threshold in the first round, a run-off is held between the two candidates that have received the most votes in the first round.

Under Article 113 of the Iranian Constitution, the President acts as the country’s chief executive and is responsible for implementing the law of the land “except in matters directly concerned with the office of the Leadership.”

Within the limits of his powers and duties, the President is responsible before “the people, the Leader, and the Islamic Consultative Assembly,” as the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) is formally called.

The President appoints ministers, subject to the approval of the Parliament.

The chief executive has the authority to sign agreements with other governments as well as those pertaining to international organizations, after securing parliamentary approval.

Ambassadors to other countries are also appointed upon the recommendation of the Foreign Minister and approval of the President, who also receives the credentials presented by the ambassadors of foreign countries.

The President is tasked with administering national planning, the budget, and state employment affairs.

In addition, he heads the Supreme National Security Council, which protects and supports national interests, the Islamic Revolution, and the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, the President serves as the chairman of Iran’s Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, a body set up after the 1979 Revolution to ensure the country’s education and culture remain Islamic and will not be influenced by other cultures and ideologies.

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“Today, 25% of our population lives in villages, and as far as I know, every village can be a “cell” of progress for the development of the country. If we solve the problems of 40,000 villages in the country, we will see that each village can be the leap cell of the country, and this problem will be solved through planning and management,” he stated.

Jalili went on to say that those in charge should not allow an individual or a group to gain money from the pockets of the people.

“This issue requires serious determination and will, and one must first start from the faction of friends and insiders in order to stand against it,” he remarked.

Pointing to the rising inflation rate in the country, the presidential candidate said that the average inflation in many countries is below 5%, “but our country has experienced 50% inflation. Solving this problem requires will and planning; it should be noted who will benefit from this inflation and why only a certain and limited number of people have benefited from heavy banking facilities.”

Regarding nuclear negotiations, Jalili said that if Iran is going to negotiate with the West, it must have tools to use as bargaining chip.

“We must not behave in such a way that the pressure lever is in the hands of the enemy and we are in a difficult situation. One way to lift sanctions is to negotiate, but that is not all we can do,” opined Jalili who was Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator during the rule of the previous administration.

Presenting an alternative to the current nuclear negotiations in Vienna, Jalili said Iran must enter into negotiations with tools of pressure “so that the enemy cannot use the levers of pressure against us. For example, if it wants to boycott us with petrol, there are several things that can be done. One way is to negotiate and make concessions to dissuade the enemy. The second way is to circumvent the sanctions and the enemy does not understand, but the best and most useful way is to produce petrol and even export it so that the lever of pressure is removed from the hands of the enemy.”

Jalili reminded the voters that his programs are not written overnight because he formed a shadow cabinet after losing the 2013 presidential election to the incumbent president, Hassan Rouhani.

“In 2013, after the election of president Rouhani, I said in my election campaign that our work started today and we formed a shadow cabinet and followed the developments bit by bit. If good work is done, even from competitors, we should approve and encourage it; if help is needed in a time, we should enter and help; and if something goes wrong, we should come and correct it,” he suggested.

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Developed by Cuba’s Finlay Vaccine Institute and Pasteur Institute of Iran, the vaccine is a conjugate vaccine with two injectable doses. It consists of the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein conjugated chemically to tetanus toxoid.

The two first phases of the human trial have been conducted in Cuba, while the third phase is underway with 24,000 volunteers in Iran and 44,000 volunteers in Cuba.

In Iran, it was performed on a population of 18 to 80 years in seven provinces and eight cities across the country, Alireza Biglari, director of the Pasture Institute of Iran, said.

He expressed hope to analyze the preliminary results in late June in order to obtain a license for mass production.

This is the first vaccine to have a booster dose, and it is a great help to evaluate the results of human trials. Evidence shows that a booster dose will greatly increase immunity, he explained.

Mass vaccination against COVID-19 started on Iranian citizens with the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine on February 9.

While Iran continues efforts to mass-produce local candidates, several foreign vaccines have already been imported and others are expected soon.

Iran is also producing vaccines jointly with three countries of Cuba, Russia, and Australia, which may also be released by September.

Vaccination to end by late November

President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday that If the volume of COVID-19 vaccine required by the country is provided, the vaccination of people with underlying diseases will be completed by late July, and the whole population will be vaccinated by late November.

To vaccinate people with underlying diseases, about 14-15 million doses of vaccine is required, while we now have 5 million doses, so another 10 million must be provided to complete the process by the end of July, then we will continue the process with foreign and domestic vaccines, he explained.

He expressed hope to start vaccination of the whole population by the end of the summer (September 23), noting that given the country’s ability of vaccine administration, vaccinating 500,000 people in 24 hours, the entire population can receive the vaccine within three to four months.

Five homegrown vaccines

COVIRAN BAREKAT, the first coronavirus vaccine made by researchers at the Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam, will complete the third phase of the human trial by late June.

The vaccine was unveiled on December 29, 2020, and started to be mass-produced on March 29.

Meanwhile, a vaccine developed by the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute (Razi Cov Pars) is expected to become the second Iranian-made vaccine to be administered among the population in early August; which started the clinical trial on February 27, entered the second phase of the human trial on Friday.

Iran has also successfully completed the first phase of the human trial for Fakhra vaccine, the third domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine, named after nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh (he was assassinated in November 2020 near Tehran), that was unveiled and started the clinical trial on March 16.

“Osvid-19”, the fourth domestic vaccine produced by Osvah Pharmaceutical Company is also undergoing human trials, which will also be available in early September.

On May 24, the first coronavirus vaccine made by the private sector in Iran succeeded in receiving the code of ethics and entered the phase of clinical studies.

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A new shipment of the vaccine including 1.5 million doses will arrive in Iran on Thursday, he announced.

By mid-June, the domestically produced vaccine will be provided to the Ministry of Health, and the Iran-Cuba vaccine and the COVIRAN Barekat vaccine will also be approved and start mass production.

“It is predicted that by the end of June, we will have at least two domestically produced Iranian vaccines, and after that, in addition to the foreign vaccine, which will not be in large numbers, we will speed up vaccination by the homegrown ones,” he explained.

So far, about 3.2 million doses of vaccines have been imported, including Sputnik V from Russia, COVAXIN from India, AstraZeneca from South Korea, and a Chinese vaccine.

According to the Ministry of Health, some 1,378,744 people have received the first dose of vaccine and 276,667 people have received the second dose. The total number of injected vaccines in the country reached 1,655,411 doses.

Mass vaccination against COVID-19 started on Iranian citizens with the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine on February 9.

While Iran continues efforts to mass-produce local candidates, several foreign vaccines have already been imported and others are expected soon.

Iran is currently producing vaccines jointly with three countries of Cuba, Russia, and Australia, which may also be released by September.

Domestic vaccines

COVIRAN BAREKAT, the first coronavirus vaccine made by Iranian researchers, started the third phase of the human trial in early May by being administrated to 20,000 people.

Developed by researchers at the Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam, the vaccine was unveiled on December 29, 2020, and started to be mass-produced on March 29.

Meanwhile, a vaccine developed by the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute (Razi Cov Pars) is expected to become the second Iranian-made vaccine to be administered among the population in early August; which started the clinical trial on February 27.

Iran has also successfully completed the first phase of the human trial for Fakhra vaccine, the third domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine, named after nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh (he was assassinated in November 2020 near Tehran), that was unveiled and started the clinical trial on March 16.

“Osvid-19”, the fourth domestic vaccine produced by Osvah Pharmaceutical Company is also undergoing human trials, which will also be available in early September.

New cases and mortalities

In a press briefing on Monday, Health Ministry’s spokesperson, Sima-Sadat Lari, confirmed 18,408 new cases of COVID-19 infection, raising the total number of infections to 2,673,219. She added that 2,127,192 patients have so far recovered, but 5,533 remain in critical conditions of the disease.

During the past 24 hours, 351 patients have lost their lives, bringing the total number of deaths to 75,261, she added.

So far, 17,206,735 COVID-19 diagnostic tests have been performed in the country.

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Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte enforced an economically crippling shut down in early March to counter a pandemic that has so far killed more than 31,500 people in Italy.

The shutdown halted all holidaymaking in a country heavily dependent on the tourism industry.

Although Italy never formally closed its borders and has allowed people to cross back and forth for work or health reasons, it banned movement for tourism and imposed a two-week isolation period for new arrivals.

Beginning on June 3, all visitors will be allowed in with no obligation to self-isolate. Italians will also be able to move between regions, though local authorities can limit travel if infections spike.

Movements to and from abroad can be limited by regional decree “in relation to specific states and territories, in accordance with the principles of adequacy and proportionality to the epidemiological risk”, the government said, AFP reported.

The latest decree is also a boon to Italy’s agricultural sector, which relies on roughly 350,000 seasonal workers from abroad.

Farming lobby group Coldiretti said farms were already preparing to organize some 150,000 workers from places including Romania, Poland, and Bulgaria.

The peak of Italy’s contagion passed at the end of March but with experts warning a second wave cannot be ruled out, Conte had been reluctant to lift the lockdown quickly.

His approach frustrated many of Italy’s regions, with some already allowing businesses to reopen before the restrictions were lifted.

Restaurants, bars, and hairdressers are being allowed to reopen on Monday, two weeks earlier than initially planned.

Shops will also open and Italians will finally be able to see friends, as long as they live within their same region.

Church services will begin again but the faithful will have to follow social distancing rules and holy water fonts will be empty. Mosques will also reopen.

Gatherings of large groups are still banned.

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