Iranian presidential hopefuls sit for 3rd TV debate

Earlier today, Iranian presidential candidates have started the third debates on live television in Iran, IRIB News reported.

Previously, the debates were held on economic and cultural issues. The third debates are about domestic and foreign policy issues.

Eight people are competing for the presidential post in Iran - Former top nuclear negotiator Hassan Rouhani, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, secretary of Iran Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei, lawmaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili, former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, former First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, and former Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Gharazi.

Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said that reform policy should defend Iran's interests and the Islamic Revolution's goals.

"We should work in framework of planned micro policy, but our diplomacy during past years was unable to yield sufficient and significant results, and it was weak," he said.

"We should make change in our foreign policy, based on international situation's changes. We should unite inside the country to have a strong position in foreign policy."he said.

Qalibaf also said that Iran should have a strong regional policy.

"We should pay more attention to regional countries, and have common diplomacy to compete with other nations in international community," he said.

Secretary of Iran Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei said that he will take advantage of efficient persons of different points of view and from different political fronts to resolve foreign policy problems, especially the nuclear standoff.

He also said that he will make effort to institutionalize freedom of speech in the society.

On June 14, Iranians will go to over 66,000 polling stations across the country to cast their votes, while some 285 polling stations will be set up for Iranian nationals in other countries.

The voters will select the successor of the current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is not able to participate in the elections for the third term according to the country's constitutional laws.

The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term in a national election and the Guardian Council vets the candidates for qualifications.


/Trend/