Gareth Smyth
and Mohsen Asgari
in Tehran
Iran's conservatives yesterday set an aggressive course to wrest control of parliament in February's elections as the Guardian Council banned at least 80 of the current 290 deputies from standing for re-election.
President Mohammad Khatami condemned the decision, suggesting it was contrary to the wishes of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader, who appoints the 12-member Guardian Council.
"It's meaningless that prominent figures who have worked for the nation for years have not been approved," he said.
Reformists have dominated parliament since elections four years ago, but have seen their agenda thwarted by the Guardian Council. Among those disqualified are Mr Mohammad Reza Khatami, the president's brother and leader of the Jebheye Mosharek Irane Eslami (Iranian Islamic Participation Front), the largest reformist group.
Mr Khatami suggested that those disqualified would take up their right of appeal, a process that could drag on well into February. Some deputies walked out of parliament in protest.
Mr Ebrahim Yazdi, the secretary-general of Nehzat Azadi (the Freedom Movement), many of whose candidates have been rejected, warned that the step would "deepen the gap between nation and the system". He said that a low turnout in the election could undermine the Islamic Republic.
But Mr Hamid Reza Taraghi, of Jamiate Moutalefeye Eslami (Coalition of Islamic Associations), an influential conservative party, said the majority of those rejected had "open cases in the courts".
"All the rejections are based on irrefutable documents and whoever is dissatisfied can present their evidence to the Guardian Council," he said.
Mr Saeed Leylaz, a political analyst, said the conservatives had made a calculated decision. "This may be the best time for the right wing to eliminate its rivals from the political scene. Iran's considerable progress in foreign diplomacy in recent months has reduced foreign pressure. At the same time, the economy is benefiting from high oil prices, and the leftists are unpopular.
"If the conservatives capture the parliament and [in 2005\] the presidency, they can negotiate with the US, keep people satisfied with oil money, and allow some more political freedom. Then no one would worry about curbs on the political reformists."
Mr Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy chief, was due in Iran last night for a two-day visit to keep up European momentum for dialogue with Tehran, which last month agreed to greater international access to its nuclear facilities.
Mr Solana travelled via Vienna, to "compare notes" with Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Mr Solana's spokeswoman said the visit would also cover trade and preparations for February's elections. Mr Solana will meet leading officials and visit Bam, devastated last month by an earthquake.
-(Financial Times)