“Response to US actions”: how strengthening conservatives in Iran’s parliament can affect the republic’s political course

Conservatives - supporters of the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, lead the parliamentary elections in Iran. This is evidenced by the initial results of the vote, the Iranian agency FARS.

According to preliminary estimates, conservatives can already count on 135 out of 290 seats in parliament, reformists will receive another 20 seats, and 28 independent candidates (moderate) will receive 28 votes. It remains to be seen who owns the remaining seats, as the vote count continues. The final results will be announced, presumably, on Monday.

Recall that the parliamentary elections in Iran were held on February 21. At the same time, turnout became the lowest since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 - 42.57%. In addition, it first fell below 50%.

More than seven thousand people fought for 290 deputy seats - the Council of Guardians of the Constitution approved their candidacies. Iranian lawmakers are elected for a four-year term.

It is worth noting that there are no traditional political parties in Iran, politicians in the republic are divided into three camps. Reformists advocate the democratization of the country's political and social systems, as well as rapprochement with the West and attracting foreign investment. Conservatives - supporters of the supreme leader of Iran are critical of cooperation with Europe and the USA, support theocratic system and state regulation. The moderates, in turn, take an intermediate position: supporting the theocratic system, at the same time they advocate economic liberalization.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei previously called on Iranians to take an active part in the vote, calling the election “a resource to strengthen the country."

“Take a look at how American propaganda is trying to tear people away from the Islamic system (values. - RT ). To this end, they create think tanks. They are trying to alienate Iranian youth from the Islamic system (values. - RT ), but it will not work out for them, ”Ayatollah said in his speech during a trip to the province of East Azerbaijan.

In order to get into parliament, candidates need to get a simple majority of votes, but not less than 25%. If no one overcomes this bar, then a second round is held in the constituency. It is scheduled for April 17th.

• Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
• © Official Khamenei website / Handout via REUTERS

Negative background

The election process took place in a difficult environment for Iran, economic and political pressure from the United States, analysts say.

So, on the eve of the vote, US State Department Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook told reporters at a briefing that the upcoming parliamentary elections in the republic are supposedly “staged”.

Meanwhile, the speaker of the Constitutional Guard Council, Abbas Ali Kadkhodai, who monitored the voting, made a statement on state television that no serious irregularities were found during the election.

In turn, the supreme leader of Iran believes that the foreign media tried to influence the mood in society before the vote.

“This negative propaganda began a few months ago and grew with the approach of the election. Over the past two days, under the pretext of a disease and a virus, their media have used the slightest opportunity to discourage people from participating in the elections, ”Khamenei quoted his press service.

In addition, as experts emphasize, one should not forget that the vote took place against the background of the recently tightened US sanctions policy on Iran.

In late January, the US Treasury imposed sanctions against the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization. On February 20, Washington again expanded its sanctions list - four more Iranian citizens fell under restrictions. This was reported by the press service of the American Ministry of Finance.

Recall that relations between Iran and the United States escalated after the US side launched an air strike near Baghdad Airport on the night of January 3. The attack killed the General of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Kassem Suleimani, the deputy head of the Iraqi Shiite militia Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and about ten escort people.

• Symbols of the Pentagon
• Reuters
• © Al Drago

"Defend your independence"

As noted by Araik Stepanyan, member of the Academy of Geopolitical Problems, the strengthening of the position of conservatives in the parliamentary elections can be explained by the fact that Iran’s society has rallied in the face of US aggressive policy towards the republic.

“The assassination of General Suleymani rallied Iranian society, and the mood of the supporters of conservative ideas began to dominate the country. There are people in Iran who want reform, but when the Americans kill their national hero, that means they spit on the feelings of the Iranians. And here patriotism wakes up. This is a reaction to American politics, ”the expert is sure.

According to Stepanyan, many Iranian citizens realize that Washington would like the demise of Iran as a sovereign state - a competitor to Israel in the Middle East.

“Iranians understand that the US calls for the Iranian people to“ free themselves ”from spiritual leaders so that the country's citizens live better and freer are hypocrisy. Therefore, they gave their votes to conservative forces in protest against American politics, ”the analyst explained.

However, Boris Dolgov, a leading researcher at the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, believes that one should not expect a strong change in Iran’s political course after conservatives take over the parliamentary majority.

“I do not think that this will fundamentally change Iran’s policies, especially foreign ones. However, the consolidation of society against the backdrop of US actions is becoming sustainable, ”the expert said in a conversation with RT.

In turn, Stepanyan emphasizes that, judging by the statements of the Iranian leadership, "it is configured in a military manner."

“Tehran understands that the United States is conducting a hybrid war against them, and is ready to take retaliatory steps. After all, we saw how the Iranians launched rocket attacks on American bases in Iraq. This inspired the citizens of the republic - they have the faith that they can defend their independence, ”the expert concluded.