Iran’s central bank chief has rescinded his decision to run for president

Iran’s central bank governor has been fired after a government ruling that running in next month’s presidential election would disrupt his tenure.

Prime Minister Hassan Rouhani’s minister thought that Abdolnaser Hemmati’s actions in the June 18 investigation would “prevent him from being fully available to the central bank”, local media reported on Sunday.

Hemmati had refused to leave. Akbar Komijani, one of his ministers, has taken over as chief executive officer of a central bank.

Hemmati, 64, is a technocrat who has held a high economic position in Iran for many years without being a household name. He was elected to the legislature after being removed from prominent positions, such as Es’haq Jahangiri, second vice president, and Ali Larijani, a former parliamentary speaker.

Despite being ousted from the central bank, investigators say Hemmati has been able to challenge the leader and lawmaker, Ebrahim Raisi.

Hemmati has established himself as a well-known economist, as well as a man who could revive the 2015 nuclear deal with international powers and help ease US sanctions.

“Hemmati’s sudden exit and unexpected turnout have disrupted confidence,” said a reform analyst. “It is possible that a number of reform teams will eventually help him. The Iranian people can push the President back and elect Hemmati. ”

Hemmati – whose words are “interacting at home and abroad” – separated himself from the other six people who were elected and had a good reputation instead of having an opinion.

“Without co-operation [with world powers] for the charges to be dropped. . . and without the domestic partnership between the state and its citizens, the human condition cannot change, “he said.

Investigators say the President, who experts think is the most popular among the country’s rulers, is leading the talks. However, he feels that his support has not increased since his campaign started last week.

This has raised hopes for nominees such as Major General Mohsen Rezaei, a member of the Revolutionary Guards who has led the army for 16 years.

The reformers are divided over how to support Hemmati after senior officials including Mostafa Tajzadeh, the former interior minister, said they would hold the by-elections to demonstrate their inadequacy.

Mohammad Hashemi, the brother of the late President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, believes that he is trying to persuade reformers to restore Hemmati.

“Hemmati is a candidate for the Rafsanjani camp,” said a reformist. “His future depends on how well he manages the opposition against the President on TV.”