High Voter Turnout ‘Essential’ for Islamic Republic's Survival, Says Khamenei

In the letter, a copy of which was obtained by Iran International, the political prisoner asserts that Iranians now recognize the ruling power in the Islamic Republic seeks votes "only as a decoration for its authoritarian religious regime," with the president serving merely as a "facilitator for implementing orders."

Haeri is currently jailed in Ghezel Hesar Prison in the city of Karaj, serving a three-year, eight-month sentence. He received an additional prison sentence of about three months last July for his human rights activities during imprisonment.

A special election will be held on June 28 to replace former President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May. Six candidates, who have been handpicked by the Islamic Republic's Guardian Council, are vying to replace Raisi.

In his letter, Haeri pointed to the decline in electoral legitimacy and public support for the current regime, referring to the record-low voter turnout in the recent parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections. According to the state news outlet IRNA, about 25 million of Iran's 61 million eligible voters cast their ballots.

"The grandeur of this massive non-violent struggle for the right to self-determination has permanently changed the political landscape of the country," Haeri wrote.

Haeri emphasized that from 1997 to 2017, the “oppressed people of Iran” went to the polls out of fear and desperation to bring about change, but their participation yielded no lasting benefits.

According to a new survey, conducted by the Netherlands-based Gamaan Institute, 22% of respondents in Iran confirmed they would definitely vote, while 12% remain undecided.

The survey highlighted deep-seated dissatisfaction with the current political system, with roughly 68% of respondents citing "opposition to the overall system of the Islamic Republic" as their primary reason for not voting. Other notable reasons included "the limited power of the president".

Voter participation has been on a steady decline in Iran, with over 50% of eligible voters staying home for the election of now-deceased President Raisi in 2021. That election saw about 3.7 million invalid ballots cast, that were likely to have been mostly blank or protest votes.

Meanwhile, hundreds of teachers, union activists, and prominent cultural figures in Iran have publicly announced their decision to abstain from voting in the upcoming presidential elections. They assert that participation is futile and risks legitimizing the government while intensifying the suppression of dissent.

Haeri was released from Greater Tehran Prison in October 2020 after serving a previous sentence and receiving 74 lashes. In December last year, he was handed arbitrary new charges for writing letters against the death penalty, sham elections, and violations of fair trial rights for prisoners, and spent time in solitary confinement in June.

Other prisoners who have spoken out against participation in the upcoming elections include Nobel-laureate Narges Mohammadi and Golrokh Iraee.

Mohammadi wrote from Tehran’s Evin Prison that she would not participate in the "illegal elections of the oppressive and illegitimate government." Iraee criticized the factions of the so-called reformists for encouraging participation, calling it a betrayal, writing that "Reformists should know that we, the people of Iran, remember their betrayal from the beginning and will not forget."

"We expect that this agreement will be signed in the very near future, since work on the text is already close to completion. All the necessary wording has been found," RIA cited Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko as saying in an interview.

Earlier in June, Russia's foreign ministry said that work on the agreement was temporarily suspended, while Iran said there was no break in preparing the new pact. Zamir Kabulov, a Russian foreign ministry official, was cited as stating on June 11 that "This is a strategic decision made by the leadership of both countries. The process has halted due to issues faced by our Iranian partners."

Later, both Iranian and Russian officials issued statements reiterating that work to finalize the agreement was in progress and reports about its suspension were exaggerated.

The Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia are strategic adversaries of the United States and their cooperation reached a new level in 2022 when Iran began supplying hundreds of suicide drones to Moscow to attack civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine. Reports have also emerged indicating possible ballistic missile deliveries.

Europe and the United States have warned Tehran against further military cooperation with Moscow, sanctioning dozens of individuals and companies involved in weapons deliveries.

Tehran and Moscow initially signed a long-term agreement in March 2001. Officially known as the Treaty of the Foundation of Mutual Relations and the Principles of Cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation Act, it was initially set for ten years but was extended twice for five-year terms.

According to Iran’s ambassador to Russia, the countries agreed to extend the agreement for another five years in 2021, setting its expiration date in 2026.

In 2023, reports of possible difficulties in developing the new agreement with Russia, resulting from protests from Iran in response to a joint statement issued following the Russia-GCC Strategic Dialogue, were made.

In particular, the disagreement concerns one point in the GCC joint statement, from July 2023, which Iranian officials believe reflects Moscow's solidarity with the UAE's position on the territorial dispute regarding three islands in the Persian Gulf that Tehran considers to be its territory. Moscow's explanations were unsatisfactory to the Iranian side.

The 2001 pact called, among others, for cooperation in security, energy projects, including the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the construction of nuclear power plants, industry and technology, according to its text published on the Kremlin's website.

Very few details have emerged on what the new agreement would include. After Russia launched its full-scale invasion on Ukraine in 2022 and subsequent sanctions on Moscow by Kyiv's allies, Russia and Iran have firmed investment, military and energy ties.

Memorial services organized by the Iranian government globally in their honor, faced significant criticism from opponents of the Islamic Republic, sparking widespread discontent and controversy.

In Washington DC, a staff member of Iran's Interests Section in the US exacerbated tensions. In a video circulated on social media, Ramezan Soltan-Mohammadi was observed making a threatening gesture towards protesters, leading to an extended restraining order against him by a US court on June 17.

This incident, occurred on May 22 on the sideline of Raisi’s memorial service held by the Islamic Education Center (IEC) in Maryland, sparking renewed scrutiny into the ties between this sizeable mosque in Potomac and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Despite concerted efforts over the years by the administrative staff and board members of IEC to keep a low profile and refrain from drawing undue attention to this prominent Shia center in Montgomery County, the facility has consistently faced accusations from critics who allege it has functioned as a haven for supporters of the Islamic Republic for numerous years.

These allegations against the IEC, which also serves as a mosque, seem firmly grounded in reality.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan initiated legal action to seize this center in 2009 for its connection to Alavi Foundation, a New York City-based organization accused of illegally providing money and services to Iran and spending millions of dollars to obtain and develop properties in violation of federal laws that ban trade with Iran, the New York Times reported.

IEC managers have endeavored to distance themselves from Alavi and have long asserted that the mosque's association with the foundation is purely that of tenant to landlord.

Furthermore, the management board has opted to enhance the organization's public image by revising its mission statement, asserting that it functions solely as a place of worship and religious center without any political affiliations. Nevertheless, there are compelling facts that contradict these assertions. Since its inception, the leaders and members of this organization have consistently shown fervent support for the Islamic Republic, demonstrating unwavering devotion and admiration for the regime in both rhetoric and actions.

Hosting Raisi’s funeral and several meticulously organized ceremonies directed by authorities in Tehran serve as undeniable examples that underscore the current bond.

Such is the depth of influence that throughout its operational history, the prayer leader of the center has consistently been appointed by Tehran. The current Imam, Ahmad Bahraini, who has served at the center for approximately two decades, previously held the position of Ali Khamenei's representative at Shahid Beheshti University before relocating to the United States.

His predecessor, Hojatolislam Mohammad-Reza Hejazi, sparked controversy when he was detained at Washington Dulles International Airport in 2005 while trying to depart for Iran with nearly $100,000 in cash, disregarding US tax rules.

The IEC's notable connections to Tehran include hosting prominent figures and clerics closely associated with Iran's power structure. Mohsen Qara'ati, a high-profile clergyman with ties to the regime; Mohammad Kazem Rashed Yazdi, a cleric with personal connections to Ali Khamenei; Mohsen Taj Langaroudi, a prominent loyalist cleric; and Mohsen Taheri, a well-known eulogist affiliated with the Khamenei’s office, have all been hosted by IEC and visited the US at the center's invitation.

According to Iranian International investigations, the IEC has been found to have substantial ties with the Iranian Interest Section (IIS). This section acts as the representative of the Iranian government in the absence of formal diplomatic relations between Washington and Tehran. Our interviews with knowledgeable individuals suggest that certain current or former staff members of this center, as well as their spouses, have been employed by the ISS. Additionally, over the years, the center has frequently organized non-religious activities that align with the objectives of the Islamic Republic.

The authorities of the IEC have shown no willingness to respond to the claims stated.

According to its website, the Islamic Education Center in Washington was founded as a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Islam through cultural and religious activities. Despite its location in Potomac, Maryland, the decision to include "Washington" in its name reflects a historical dispute stemming from the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran.

The Center was established amid controversy following the expulsion of several of its current members from the prominent mosque of nation’s capital due to their occupation of the premises in 1981. According to the Washington Post, the dispute originated when "about a dozen demonstrators who support Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini occupied the mosque."

As reported by the newspaper, the board of the mosque, consisting of ambassadors to the United States from more than 40 Islamic nations, took legal action. Subsequently, a Superior Court judge issued an order for the demonstrators to evacuate the premises. When they declined to comply, some of the zealous supporters of Islamic Republic were charged with criminal contempt.

With sustenance from the Alavi Foundation, followers of Khomeini who were expelled from the Islamic Center of Washington instituted their own sanctuary by acquiring and renovating a sizable facility located in an affluent Maryland area.

The Islamic Center of Washington has displayed no interest in responding to Iran International’s questions regarding the four-decade-old conflict.

Four of the six hand-picked candidates in Friday's presidential elections -- Jalili, Ghalibaf, Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh, and Alireza Zakani – claim they represent “the Revolutionary Front”. Ghazizadeh and Zakani pose very little danger to either Jalili or Ghalibaf and one or both may withdraw in the last minute in Jalili’s favor if he remains in the race.

Ghalibaf and Jalili, along with their respective supporters, have been engaged in a bitter battle on social media, especially in recent days, each trying to convince the other that one of them must withdraw to effectively compete against Pezeshkian and his reformist supporters.

Jalili and Ghalibaf appear to be the strongest contenders in around half a dozen election surveys conducted by institutions affiliated with the government. Pezeshkian is closely following or even overtaking them in these and most unofficial, online polls.

None of the three top candidates has the votes of over 25 percent of the voters who are voting or considering voting. The forecasts about turnout range from 25-55 percent.

Although Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has always insisted that a high turnout is proof of the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic, hardliners appear to be very worried about a turnout of over fifty percent paving the way for Pezeshkian’s presidency.

The legitimacy of every one of these polls is being contested by candidates’ supporters depending on who they support, and which candidate has the highest votes in them.

Hardliner Ali-Akbar Raefipour, leader of a recently established ultra-hardliner political “front” called Jebhe-ye Sobh-e Iran (Iran Morning Front) which supports Jalili, tweeted screenshot images of several polls but called them “opinion fabrications” meant to undermine rivals rather than opinion polls. These surveys indicated that Ghalibaf was ahead of Jalili or that Pezeshkian was more popular than both.

The percentage of eligible voters who say they will not vote is very high in almost all these surveys and around one third of those who say they will vote also said they were still undecided about candidates or refused to reveal who they would be voting for.

Pezeshkian’s supporters and some pundits contend that the “undecided” are more likely to vote for him, and to a lesser degree for Ghalibaf, than Jalili. The same argument is being used to convince Jalili and his supporters that his withdrawal is more in the interest of the ‘revolutionary front’ than Ghalibaf’s.

Those in favor of Ghalibaf as the representative of the ‘revolutionary front’ also argue that some who are thinking of voting for him may vote for Pezeshkian if he withdraws, but that all Jalili’s votes will go to Ghalibaf if he is chosen to represent the ‘revolutionary front’.

“In the past three days Pezeshkian has risen to the top [in the polls] and is increasing his distance [from the hardliners so the withdrawal [of Jalili or Ghalibaf] has become a serious issue but for several reasons it will not make a difference,” reformist commentator Abbas Abdi tweeted Sunday.

What makes the matter worse in the eyes of the people, Abdi argued, is that Jalili follows Pezeshkian in the extant polls is the one who will be driven out of the race to make competition with Pezeshkian easier. “They will continue fighting after defeat, too,” he wrote.

“You must surrender to a coalition,” the ultra-hardliner chief editor of Kayhan newspaper, Hossein Shariatmadari, wrote Monday. He contended that forming such a coalition is vital to keep the presidency within the so-called revolutionary front.

“Leaders of sedition” is a clear reference to former President Mohammad Khatami and Parliament Speaker Mehdi Karroubi both of whom have supported the independent Pezeshkian’s candidacy.

“Reason, Sharia, and logic dictate vigilance and caution about the probability, of even weak probability [of the success of the pro-reform candidate],” Shariatmadari warned.

Netanyahu said on Monday that Tehran is actively working on multiple fronts to destroy Israel, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by Iranian proxy groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.

“At any cost and in any way, we will thwart Iran's intentions to destroy us,” the Israeli prime minister told the Knesset.

He described the situation as an "existential war on seven fronts," asserting that Iran is openly attempting to annihilate Israel.

Iran has long been a key supporter of both Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, providing financial aid, weapons, and training to these groups.

Since October 7, Israel has been engaged on two primary fronts: Gaza and Lebanon. Following a series of escalations, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have intensified their operations against Hamas in Gaza, aiming to dismantle its infrastructure and halt rocket attacks on Israeli territory. Concurrently, tensions with Hezbollah have flared along Israel's northern border with Lebanon.

In his Monday speech, Netanyahu said as the IDF advances deeper into Gaza, more evidence of Iran's anti-Israel activities has come to light.

He argued that Iran has underestimated both Israeli resilience and the country's determination to protect itself, stating that Israel is prepared to impose a significant toll on its aggressors.

His remarks come one day after the top US general warned that any Israeli offensive in Lebanon would risk a broader conflict that draws in Iran and its proxies, particularly if Hezbollah's existence is threatened.

"From our perspective, based on where our forces are, the short range between Lebanon and Israel, it's harder for us to be able to support them in the same way we did back in April," Brown said.

He was referring to a massive Iranian missile and drone attack against Israel from Iranian territory on April 13 that failed to inflict any serious damage as Israeli and allied forces downed almost all projectiles.