The ever-changing atmosphere of Iran’s election fever took another turn when the Guardians Council which vets candidates to all national elections announced that it needed another five days to review the credentials of the signed-up presidential candidates.

Hashemi Rafsanjani’s official last minute registration as a presidential candidate has not only disrupted the many political alignments in the country but has raised as many questions as well.

“Just like a soldier who puts his life on line, I too take the honor and credibility that I have acquired from the Islamic revolution and the people into my hands for the service of Islam, the revolution, people and the revival of the motherland."

Following the arrests of workers that followed the international Labor Day activities, news reports and human rights announcements indicate a rise in the arrest of labor activists and workers.

Following Israel’s attack on a Syrian munitions depot, western Tehran witnessed a number of massive explosions which the security deputy at the Ministry of the Interior termed as “routine” and added that officials had implemented plans to destroy obsolete munitions at the arms depot.

Family members of the five political prisoners who recently received sentences of 45 years of prison declared their protests against the heavy and unprecedented judgments.

With the sharp rise of prices in Iran and as the government debates the launching of the 2nd phase of the subsidies program, holding down the interbank-rate at zero has created some serious issues for the Iranian economy.

While a number of reformist and critical political groups and personalities are still talking with Rafsanjani and Khatami about their candidacy, Khamenei’s representative in the Revolutionary Guards exposed his concern about the possible presidential candidacy of these two former presidents.

Speaking to members of the Basij para-military force at a seminar dubbed “Political Epic Makers – Basiji Bravehearts” in Mashhad, the head of Iran’s Basij force asserted that the resistance of the Iranian nation had taught lessons to the enemies and had created fear in them.

In his March 20th message to the Iranian nation, ayatollah Khamenei declared that the next presidential elections in the country would be an “epic” event. He also at least verbally opened up the candidates’ field by saying, “Anybody who feels they have the ability should come forward.”