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Article: Profiles of Iranian candidates, top political figures
- Article from:
- AP Worldstream
- Article date:
- June 14, 2005
- Author:
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The Associated Press
AP Worldstream
06-14-2005
A look at the Iran's key political figures and the eight candidates running in the June 17 election to replace outgoing President Mohammad Khatami, who cannot seek a third consecutive term.
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SUPREME LEADER AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI: A middle-ranking cleric who was promoted to the rank of ayatollah after the death in 1989 of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Islamic revolution. Khamenei has the final say on all state matters and is commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Reformists want to curb his unlimited powers. Hard-liners consider him to be answerable only to God. He is staunchly opposed to any bid to forge ties with the ...