Iran Prepares for 2024 Parliamentary Elections

As Iran prepares for its March 2024 parliamentary elections, regime officials and politicians are trying hard to introduce the Israel-Hamas conflict as an election theme. The Iranian public, however, may have concerns closer to home, such as the price of bread and meat.

• October 26: Jamaran News, which serves as the mouthpiece of the family of Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, published excerpts from speeches given at the “High Electoral Participation, Solidarity, Competence, and Revolutionary Parliament” political campaign conference held at Khomeini’s mausoleum.
  • Reza Taqavi, a parliamentarian from Tehran, said: “We are seeking power so we can use it in the path of God. This power will bring further divine blessings.”
  • Mohsen Rezaei, a member of the Expediency Council, said: “Palestine is our fundamental strategy, and Palestine being alive is our achievement. Israel tried to normalize relations with the world of Islam but was defeated … We are under economic encirclement, but we support Palestine.”
  • Gholam-Ali Haddad Adel, a member of the Expediency Council, added: “Today, Palestine and Gaza are the main issues of the world of Islam. Predicting the outcome of this war is not an easy task, but we hope it will benefit the Palestinians. Gaza is showing the true face of the United States-led West.”
  • Mohammad-Bagher Qalibaf, the parliamentary speaker, claimed: “The Deluge of al-Aqsa,” Hamas’ name for its October 7 attack against Israel, “has changed the standards for military, security, and economic movements globally. From now on, every threat will be compared to this operation. His Lordship,” referencing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, “has also stated that this matter has imposed irreparable damage on the Zionist regime. Last year, the Zionist regime and street thugs,” referencing Iran’s 2022 protests, “all gathered together and claimed, ‘the Islamic Republic is done in the next week.’ Today, all those thugs are 2,000 kilometers away, and we say: ‘Israel is on the verge of annihilation!’”

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