The council disqualified several reformist and moderate candidates from the last presidential election in 2021. This year's election was called after President Ebrahim Raisi was killed on May 19 in a helicopter crash. Haghanian was designated for sanctions by the United States in 2019 for his role in Khamenei's "inner circle responsible for advancing the regime's domestic and foreign oppression." The U.S. Treasury Department said in a news release announcing the sanctions that Haghanian had been "referred to as the supreme leader's right hand.” His presence close to Khamenei at most ceremonies has been noted, and there had been rumors about his role and influence in Khamenei's office.
