Principlists talk hotly-debated topics

Iran™s principlist presidential hopefuls have discussed the comeback bid by former president, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, economic woes, as well as foreign policy.

Lawmaker and presidential hopeful, Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, urged the principlist camp to remain prudent and united in their approach toward Hashemi and his political current.

Haddad-Adel is a member of the Coalition of Three which also includes Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and former foreign minister, Ali Akbar Velayati.

Meanwhile, Ali Fallahian, a principlist and former intelligence minister, has said the economy and job creation for university graduates will be high on his agenda.

Fallahian also pointed out that high inflation has caused structural problems for the Iranian economy.

For his part, former foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, said Iran needs to defend its rights and principles in the international arena.

The registration for the 11th presidential election of Iran ended on May 11, with 686 individuals having signed up for the June 14 race.

The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term in a national election.

The Guardian Council, a 12-member body consisting of six jurists and six theologians, is tasked with vetting hopefuls for their qualifications and confirming the election results.

MP/KA/SS