Election in Iran
Campaigning ramps up as Iran nears a presidential election on June 12. A large image of Mehdi Karroubi, a moderate cleric and strong critic of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, heralds Karroubi’s appearance in his hometown of Aligudarz, about 240 miles southwest of Tehran. Observers occupy a building under construction. (Vahid Salemi / Associated Press)
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will face three challengers. The election is expected to hinge on domestic economic issues but could weigh heavily on the course of several Middle East standoffs. (Vahid Salemi / Associated Press)
Candidate Mohsen Rezai commanded the Revolutionary Guard during the 1980-88 war with Iraq and now serves as secretary of the Expediency Council, which mediates in legislative disputes. He may get support from conservatives opposed to President Ahmadinejad, thus splitting the conservative vote. (Hasan Sarbakhshian / Associated Press)
Mir-Hossein Mousavi was prime minister during Irans 1980-88 war with Iraq. He is viewed by many moderates and even some conservatives as Ahmadinejads strongest challenger. (Hasan Sarbakhshian / Associated Press)
Reformist presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi, center in white turban, waves to well-wishers. (Vahid Salemi / Associated Press)
A campaign poster for Mir-Hossein Mousavi is studied by publisher Mahmodreza Bahmanpour, left, and a worker. (Hasan Sarbakhshian / Associated Press)
A supporter of Mir-Hossein Mousavi makes his feelings known at a Tuesday campaign rally in Tabriz, Iran. (Hasan Sarbakhshian / Associated Press)
A young man browses a political blog at an Internet cafe in Hamadan, Iran, on Tuesday. Candidates’ use of the Internet was curtailed recently when authorities blocked access to Facebook, where challengers had been rallying support. On Tuesday, access was restored. (Nima Daymari / AFP / Getty Images)
In Tehran on Tuesday, supporters of reformist candidate Mehdi Karroubi display ribbons bearing his name. (Behrouz Mehri / AFP / Getty Images)
The scene at a Monday welcoming ceremony in Tabriz, Iran, for reformist candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi. (Hasan Sarbakhshian / Associated Press)
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said he was not convinced that the leaders of the recent anti-government unrest were acting on behalf of foreign interests. (AFP/Getty Images)