Ayatollah Khamenei Endorses Rouhani as Iran’s President
It paved the way for him to take office for a second term as the head of Iran’s 12th administration.
During a Thursday ceremony, Ayatollah Khamenei gave his official approval for the president-elect by giving him a decree to assign him his duties.
In May, Rouhani won re-election in a landslide after securing 57 percent of the votes and defeating his main contender Ebrahim Raeisi, the current custodian of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH).
Under Iran’s election law, the president-elect is required to gain the Leader’s official approval before being sworn in before the Parliament (Majlis). Through this process, called Tanfiz (validation), the Leader affirms the outcome of the presidential election.
During the Thursday ceremony, Ayatollah Mohammad Mohammadi-Golpayegani, the head of Ayatollah Khamenei’s office, read out the decree issued by the Leader to the participants, Press TV reported.
‘Sanctions helped Iran’s growth’
Addressing the ceremony, the Leader hailed the election process as the symbol of democracy in post-Revolution Iran.
Prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, people were sidelined and prevented from playing a role in running the country’s affairs, Ayatollah Khamenei said.
The Leader further said Iranian officials have succeeded to cooperate with the world despite enemy attempts to isolate the nation.
The sanctions imposed on Iran helped the country to grow powerful and self-reliant as the nation turned to the resources and capabilities at home, he added.
