Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says American officials will once again fail in their attempts to discourage public participation in Iran's upcoming elections.

The Leader made the remarks in a meeting with the students of Imam Hussein University on Monday.

Ayatollah Khamenei advised Iranians to carefully consider the words of the candidates in order to choose the most competent one.

“The people should choose a candidate who can pave the way for the glory of the future of the Revolution and the country and [who] can solve the problems [of the country] and resist against enemies and can turn the Islamic Republic into a role model for the oppressed of the world.”

The Leader made the remark after US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday called into question the credibility of Iran's presidential election, criticizing the disapproving of candidates by the Guardian Council- Iran’s top constitutional supervisory body.

Kerry also accused the Guardian Council of choosing candidates that represent the interests of the Iranian establishment.

Those who express opinions about Iran’s election are the same people whose Guantanamo Prison, drones over the impoverished villages in Pakistan and Afghanistan, warmongering policies in the region and unconditional support for the criminal Zionist regime are a source of shame and a mark of stain, Ayatollah Khamenei said.

“We do not know who will become president and to whom God will incline the hearts of people,” the Leader stated.

Ayatollah Khamenei said electing the highest-ranking executive official of the country is a sensitive and important task for which there are legal procedures to be followed accordingly.

The Leader said the election atmosphere must be lively and that debates must be free from hatemongering.

Iranians will go to the polls in the nation’s 11th presidential election on June 14.

The 4th city and rural council elections are also scheduled to be held on the same day.

The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term in a national election.


HK