Iran says most U.S. sanctions are prompted by baseless accusations. Former parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani, a prominent conservative, was among candidates registering Friday, as was Abdolnasser Hemmati, a former central bank governor. An election official told reporters Saturday that 12 hopefuls had registered since the process opened on Thursday for the June 28 election. The Guardian Council will publish the list of qualified candidates on June 11. The death of Raisi — who was once seen as a possible successor to Khamenei, Iran's ultimate decision-maker — has triggered a race among hardliners to influence the selection of the country's next leader. After a five-day registration period, the clerical-led Guardian Council will vet candidates running for the presidency.
