List of candidates in the 2017 Iranian presidential election

This is a list of candidates in 2017 Iranian presidential election which were held on 19 May 2017.

According to Iranian electoral law, all Iranian citizens have the right to nominate themselves. A total of 1636 persons registered for the presidential election, of which 1499 were men and 137 women. The youngest candidate was 18 and the oldest 92.

List This list includes prominent candidates who announced, withdrew, declined or were disqualified their nomination for the election.

Registered candidates Office holders Sort by time of registration Date of registration Candidate name Image Positions and occupationPolitical partyQualification situation11 April 2017Mostafa Mir-SalimMinister of Culture and Islamic Guidance (1994–1997), Supervisor of Presidential administration (1982–1989), Socio-Political Deputy Minister of Interior (1979–1982), Head of Central Council of Islamic Coalition PartyIslamic Coalition Party11 April 2017Ghasem Sholeh-SaadiMember of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Shiraz (1988–1996), Lawyer, Human rights activists, University professor Independent12 April 2017Masoud ZaribafanHead of Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs (2009–2013), Member of City Council of Tehran (2003–2007)Society of Devotees of the Islamic Revolution12 April 2017Hamid BaqaiVice President for Executive Affairs (2011–2013), Head of Presidential Administration (2011–2013), Head of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (2009–2011)Independent12 April 2017Mahmoud AhmadinejadPresident (2005–2013), Mayor of Tehran (2003–2005), Governor of Ardabil Province (1993–1997)Islamic Society of Engineers12 April 2017Mousa Reza ServatiMember of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Bojnourd (2004–2016)12 April 2017Mohammad Ali PourmokhtarMember of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Kabudarahang (since 2012)13 April 2017Hassan SobhaniMember of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Damghan (1996–2008), Deputy Culture Minister (1991–1995)Independent13 April 2017Mostafa HashemitabaPresident of the National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1996–2004), head of Physical Education Organization (1994–2001), Minister of Heavy Industries (1981–1982)Executives of Construction Party13 April 2017Ahmad KashaniMember of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Damghan (1980–1986), University professorIndependent 13 April 2017Mohammad GharaziMember of the City Council of Tehran (1999–2000), Minister of Post, Telegraph and Telephone (1985–1997), Minister of Petroleum (1981–1985), Member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Isfahan (1981)Independent13 April 2017Hashem Bathaie GolpayenagiMember of Assembly of Experts from Tehran Province (since 2016)Independent13 April 2017Ali YousefpourMember of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Farsan (1984–1992, 2012–2016), Deputy Minister of Welfare (1999–2001), Editor-in-chief of Siasat RoozSociety of Devotees of the Islamic Revolution14 April 2017Hassan NorouziMember of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Robat Karim (2008–2012, since 2016)14 April 2017Mostafa KavakebianMember of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Semnan (2008–2012), from Tehran (since 2016), Secretary-General of Democracy PartyDemocracy Party 14 April 2017Azam TaleghaniMember of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Tehran (1980–1984), Journalist Society of Islamic Revolution Women14 April 2017Alireza ZakaniMember of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Tehran (2004–2016), Editor-in-chief of Panjare Newspaper Society of Pathseekers of the Islamic Revolution14 April 2017Hassan RouhaniPresident (since 2013), Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (1989–2005), Member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Tehran (1984–2000) and Semnan (1980–1984)Moderation and Development Party14 April 2017Ebrahim RaisiChairman of Astan Quds Razavi (since 2016), Attorney-General (2014–2016), Deputy Chief Justice (2004–2014)Combatant Clergy Association15 April 2017Sadeq KhalilianMinister of Agriculture (2009–2013)15 April 2017Avaz HeydarpourMember of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Shahreza (2004–2016)Society of Devotees of the Islamic Revolution15 April 2017Abdolhassan MoghtadaeiGovernor of Khuzestan Province (2013–2016, 1999–2002), Governor of Hormozgan Province (2002–2004), Member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Abadan (1988–1996)National Trust Party15 April 2017Alireza MonadiMember of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Tabriz (2008–2016)15 April 2017Mohammad Mehdi ZahediMember of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Kerman (since 2012), Ambassador to the Malaysia (2009–2011), Minister of Science (2005–2009)Front of Islamic Revolution Stability15 April 2017Ahmad MousaviVice President for parliamentary affairs (2005–2007), Member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Ahvaz (1988–1996, 2004–2005)15 April 2017Hamid-Reza Haji BabaeeMember of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Hamedan (1996–2009, since 2016), Minister of Education (2009–2013)YEKTA Front15 April 2017Mohammad Hashemi RafsanjaniDirector of IRIB (1984–1994)Executives of Construction Party15 April 2017Mohsen RahamiMember of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Khodabandeh (1980–1988), University professor Islamic Association of University Instructors15 April 2017Mahmoud Abbaszadeh MeshkiniGovernor of Ilam Province (2012–2013), General manager of political Ministry of Interior (2010–2012)

Non-office holders Hooshang Amirahmadi (Rejected), an Iranian-American academic and political analyst announced he will run for the office for a third time on 23 March 2017. His nomination was rejected formerly for his last candidacies for not held an executive office in Iranian government. He registered on 13 April 2017. Khosro Nassirizadeh (Rejected), a physician announced he will run on 5 April 2017. He registered on 11 April. He was also registered in 2009 and 2013 elections but his nomination was rejected. Saeed Yari (Rejected), announced his candidacy on 26 January 2017 in a public meeting. He registered on 14 April 2017. Amrollah Sheikhiani (Rejected), Secretary-General of People's Party was announced as presidential candidate by his party on 14 March 2017. He registered on 14 April 2017. He has not held any governmental office previously. Mehdi Khazali (Rejected), a blogger and publisher and son of leading right-wing cleric Abolghasem Khazali announced he will run on 24 March 2017. He was a supporter of Hassan Rouhani in the last election but has criticized his human rights policies. He registered on 11 April 2017. Mohsen Gharvian (Rejected), a cleric and religious teacher announced his nomination on 8 April 2017 and registered on 15 April. Javad Golpayegani (Rejected), an actor and producer nominated on 12 April 2017. Mahdi Kalhor (Rejected), a journalist and press advisor to the former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad registered on 12 April 2017. Maryam Ebrahimvand (Rejected), cinema director nominated on the first day of registration on 11 April 2017. Aminollah Rashidi (Rejected), a 91-year singer and composer nominated on 14 April 2017. Abbas Palizdar (Rejected), a lawyer and former Secretary of the Judiciary Inquiry and Review Committee in the Iranian parliament registered on 15 April 2017. Palizdar was sentenced to a ten-year trial in 2008, but he was released in 2010 after two years. Alireza Metani (Rejected), Secretary-General of Defense Party of Veterans and Constitution announced his nomination on 11 April 2017 Mohammad Ghafari (Rejected), former police-commander of Sistan and Baluchestan Province announced his nomination on 12 April 2017 Sirus Meymanat (Rejected), an actor and screenplay-writer announced his nomination on 12 April 2017 Alireza Rajaei (Rejected), an advisor of Presidential Administration of Iran announced his nomination on 13 April 2017 Bahman Lame'ei (Rejected), former deputy-head of Iran Insurance Company announced his nomination on 14 April 2017 Hassan Bayadi (Rejected), former vice-chairman of City Council of Tehran and Secretary-General of Young Builders Party announced his nomination on 15 April 2017 Ali Geramian (Rejected), a cultural advisor of the Minister of Industries and Business announced his nomination on 15 April 2017

Withdrew candidates During campaigning Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Mayor of Tehran registered for a third bid on 15 April 2017. He was approved by Guardian Council along with 5 other candidates. However, he withdrew his candidacy on 15 May 2017 and endorsed Ebrahim Raisi. Eshaq Jahangiri, incumbent First Vice President of Iran registered on 15 April 2017 as a tactical candidate. He was approved by Guardian Council but withdrew on 16 May 2017 and endorsed Hassan Rouhani.

Before campaigning Vahab Azizi, Secretary-General of the Jihadist of Islamic Iran registered as a presidential candidate on 11 April 2017. He withdrew on 14 April 2017. Ghodrat-Ali Heshmatian, former member of the parliament from Sonqor registered on 15 April 2017. He previously announced his candidacy on 20 March 2017. He withdrew his nomination on 18 April with sending a letter to the Guardian Council. Mohammad Zareh Foumani, Secretary-General of Popular Party of Reforms announced his nomination on 17 March 2017 and registered on 13 April. He withdrew on 19 April 2017.

Announced but did not enroll On 15 March 2017, Ezzatollah Zarghami announced his candidacy via his social media accounts. He said he "has felt the responsibility to fix the country's management structure on a macro scale", accepting "the invitation of the Popular Front of Islamic Revolution Forces". Zarghami who was speculated as a potential candidate since late 2014, denied the possibility of his own candidacy in November 2015. After he was ranked 8th at JAMNA election, he said he will be withdrew and help to the party's choices. On 6 February 2017, General Mohammad-Hassan Nami of Iranian Army, a former communications minister announced his candidacy. However, he not registered for the election. Mohammad Ashrafi Esfahani, former member of the parliament from Kermanshah announced his candidacy on 3 March 2017. He did not registered for the election and withdrew. Saeed Jalili, former Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council was one of the potential presidential candidates. His candidacy was announced by his campaign members at the last election. However, he decided not to register for the election. YEKTA Front has officially announced that Hamid-Reza Haji Babaee and Rostam Ghasemi are its possible candidates. However, Ghasemi did not registered for the election. Mehrdad Bazrpash, one of the five JAMNA's candidates did not registered at the election unless his presence at the Ministry of Interior. His candidacy was happened minutes after the end of the legal registration time and was incomplete.

Declined to run In late March 2016, Mohammad Javad Zarif said “I will definitely not run for president because my current job is the only thing I know how to do”. On 22 June 2016, Hassan Hashemi said he will not run, stressing he is “not interested in politics”. In a statement published on 15 September 2016, Major General Qasem Soleimani called speculations about his candidacy as “divisive reports by the enemies” and said he will “always remain a simple soldier serving Iran and the Islamic Revolution”. On 12 December 2016, Mohsen Rezaee announced that he “has no decision to run for president”. Kamal Kharazi, former foreign minister was considered as a potential presidential candidate. However, he declined his candidacy. Kamran Daneshjoo, former Science Minister and head of electoral council in 2009 election has rejected his candidacy. Ali Akbar Salehi, former foreign minister and current Head of Atomic Energy Organization was considered as potential presidential candidate. He rejected his nomination and said that he is wiser than to nominate himself.