TEHRAN (Iran News) –“The participation of fellow Iranian expatriates in the presidential elections, despite some difficulties, illustrated a beautiful manifestation of national solidarity between Iranians inside and outside the country,” Nasser Kanaani said in a post on his X account on Monday.

“However, some disruptors, who identify themselves as the ‘opponents’ of the Islamic establishment, attempted, through intimidation, insult and the most vulgar behavior and offensive language, to prevent Iranian expatriates from participating in a democratic process. The only gain for these so-called ‘opponents’ was a global display of their own profound depravity,” he said.

“It is perplexing that some Western governments, who claim to champion democracy, grant permission for such disgraceful behavior and fail to take legal and preventative actions against those who insult and violate the legal rights of honorable and noble Iranian citizens,” the spokesman noted.

“Iranians, both inside and outside the country, await an explanation and appropriate action from responsible authorities in some Western countries in response to such barbaric, uncivilized, and illegal behavior. The conduct of these governments, that profess to uphold civil rights, human rights, and democracy, will be closely scrutinized,” Kanaani added.

TEHRAN (Iran News) –Speaking at a presser on Wednesday, Nasser Kanaani said the Foreign Ministry has carried out every necessary plan to enable Iranian expatriates to take part in the presidential polls in foreign countries.

He said the ballot papers have been shipped to the polling stations abroad, as the election will be held on Friday.

The spokesperson also pointed to “formal coordination” with the Saudi authorities to allow for the participation of the Iranian Hajj pilgrims in the presidential election.

In comments on Wednesday morning, Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said that Saudi Arabia has not so far cooperated with Iran in the process of the Hajj pilgrims’ attendance in voting and that the Interior Ministry has come up with a Plan B, which requires the Constitutional Council’s approval.

Vahidi noted that more than 61 million people will be eligible to vote in the elections on Friday.

Iran is going to hold a nationwide presidential election on June 28. The polls will take place a year ahead of schedule, as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi passed away in a helicopter crash on May 19.

In remarks on Tuesday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei emphasized that the key to national pride in the elections lies in maximum public participation and the election of the most qualified candidate.

“The reason for the insistence and emphasis on maximum participation in the elections is that the most important impact of a high turnout is that it brings honor to the Islamic Republic,” the Leader said.

TEHRAN (Iran News) –Speaking to Tasnim, Mohsen Eslami said the Constitutional Council and the Interior Ministry have come to the conclusion that the presidential election, slated for June 28, will be held only with paper ballots.

No electronic voting machine will be used in the presidential election, he stated.

Six candidates are running for the post of president in Iran, namely Saeed Jalili, Alireza Zakani, Amir Hossein Qazizadeh Hashemi, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and Masoud Pezeshkian.

The election campaign period began on Sunday and will run until June 26, with the nationwide presidential election slated to be held on Friday, June 28.

The new administration, the 14th one after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, will assume power in late June or early July and hold office for four years.

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage crashed in northwestern mountainous forests on May 19, killing the president, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and six others.

According to the Constitution, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber has taken the helm as the acting president at the discretion of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei until the election of a new president.