Front runners for Iran’s top job
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Iranians will elect a new president in June 2021 from conservative candidates whose influence has surged since U.S. President Trump quit the nuclear deal in 2018 and imposed devastating sanctions
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Age 59
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf: Veteran Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) hardliner and ex-mayor of Tehran. Pilot and former commander of IRGC Air Force. Opposed by voters that support nuclear deal with West
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63
Hossein Dehghan: Former IRGC Air Force officer, Defence Minister from 2013-17. Close aide of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Sanctioned by U.S. treasury for his alleged links to Hezbollah
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Guardian Council to vet candidates
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63
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: Hardline president from 2005-13, led confrontational relations with U.S. and Europe. Has offered
to mediate in Yemen conflict between Saudi-led coalition and Iran-backed Houthi rebels
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52
Saeed Mohammad:
Chief of Khatam al-Anbia – construction and engineering arm of IRGC. During his tenure, Khatam has taken over contracts abandoned
by foreign companies due to sanctions imposed by Trump administration
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61
Ezzatollah Zarghami:
Former state TV chief who imposed censorship and increased religious and conservative content. Close ally of Ahmadinejad.

Took part in 1979-81 student takeover of U.S. Embassy in Tehran
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Sources: Bloomberg, The New Arab, Pars Times Pictures: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS