Iran’s parliament opposes a bill banning military leaders from running for the presidency.

By an overwhelming majority, the Iranian parliament voted against a bill to bar military personnel from running for president, despite rumors that many retired and current military commanders are preparing to run for presidential elections next year. With 207 votes against, 25 in favor, and five abstentions, Iranian lawmakers rejected the plan, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a possible presidential candidate, opposed the plan, saying that members of the armed forces could run for election after resigning from their military posts. Iran is expected to hold presidential elections in June 2021, with the presidency being eyed by many former and current military officials. The “right” of military personnel to run for election is Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei, spokesman for the Guardian Council, the body that vets all nominations.

Military personnel who wish to run for election, Kadkhodaei said, must first part ways with their military institutions. IRGC Commander Hossein Dehghan, who is also the military advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran, has formally announced that he will be running in elections next year. As per Iranian media, other possible candidates with military backgrounds and links to the IRGC include former Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, head of the Parviz Fattah Mostazafan Foundation, former IRGC leader Mohsen Rezaei, and IRGC commander Saeed Mohammad.