Qassemi rejects Iran Foreign Ministry’s partisanship in election

EghtesdaOnline: Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi has rejected claims about the ministry’s partisan involvement in the campaigns for the forthcoming presidential election in the Islamic Republic.

News ID: ۷۴۱۴۰۱

08 May 2017

“Under the current circumstances, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs merely announces the foreign policy achievements of the Islamic establishment without involvement in factional and partisan issues,” Qassemi said on Saturday.

He added that none of the Foreign Ministry’s staff is a member of any political party or group, PressTV reported.

He noted that the allegations against the ministry ahead of this month’s election may have intensified due to the Foreign Ministry "actively announcing the country’s stance and foreign policy.”

Qassemi emphasized that what is announced by the ministry is “completely in line with safeguarding the country’s security, national interests and foreign policy achievements.”

The Iranian spokesperson criticized centers and media outlets raising “incorrect issues” about the country’s foreign policy and the landmark nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed between the Islamic Republic and the P5+1 group of countries in 2015.

The Foreign Ministry has to inform the Iranian people of its performance in order to enlighten public opinion, respond to questions by some political parties and groups as a result of erroneous interpretations of diplomatic measures on issues such as the JCPOA, and defend its attempts to safeguard national security and interests in all areas, Qassemi said.

He added that the ministry must also provide explanations about certain incorrect issues to clarify them.

Iranians will go to the polls on May 19 to elect the country’s next president.

Campaigning began on April 21 for Iran's 12th presidential election.

The six candidates contesting the May presidential election include incumbent President Hassan Rouhani, First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, member of Iran’s Expediency Council Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim, Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi, the current custodian of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH) in the northeastern city of Mashhad and former vice president Mostafa Hashemi-Taba.