Exiled Cleric Seeks Iranian Presidency, Can’t Get Passport
PARIS — The man considered the spiritual leader of Shiite Muslims in Europe said Monday he wants to run for president of Iran but is being refused a valid passport to return to his homeland.
The Ayatollah Mehdi Rouhani said he wrote a letter June 10 to Interior Minister Ali Akbar Mohtashemi to inform him of his bid for the presidency. He said that on Friday, he was instructed to go the Iranian Embassy to fill out the proper forms, but on Monday he was told he could not get his passport validated.
Parliament Speaker Hashemi Rafsanjani is the only official candidate in the July 28 election. Wednesday is the last day to file as a candidate.
Rouhani, 53, has spent 25 years in Europe and is a resident of France. He said he has been unable to get his Iranian passport validated for four or five years.
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