Iranwire – Iran’s presidential candidates Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Saeed Jalili have dismissed speculation about either resigning in favor of the other.
Their stance comes despite increasing pressure from fundamentalist circles for the candidates to reach a consensus and present a united front.
Ghalibaf, addressing rumors of his potential resignation, stated, “I said in the debates that we can make a serious economic transformation. If I was not serious, I would remain in the parliament.”
The parliament speaker emphasized that his continued participation in the presidential race is “a national duty.”
Similarly, Jalili, during a campaign trip to Kerman, responded to the withdrawal rumors by declaring, “We will stand firm until the end.”
These assertions come in the face of calls for unity from influential conservative voices.
Hossein Shariatmadari, editor-in-chief of Kayhan newspaper and a figure closely associated with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s office, has urged fundamentalist candidates to consolidate their support behind a single contender to maximize their chances of victory.