Iran Today: Rafsanjani Running for President?

Political Prisoner Watch

Iranian bloggers are highlighting the case of Elham Ruzbehi, a member of the Baha'i community, who reported to Semnan Prison with her baby on Saturday to begin serving a two-year sentence.

Ruzbehi is the fourth Bahai mother detained with her baby. She was arrested, with several other Baha'is, on 12 March 2011. Pregnant at the time, she was freed on bail one month later.

Rafsanjani Says He May Run for President

In a notable shift on Sunday, former President Hashemi Rafsanjani said he may run for the office in June's election.

For weeks Rafsanjani --- under pressure since the disputed 2009 elections, with the loss of positions and the imprisonment of his chldren, but still a key figure in Iranian politics --- had ruled out a campaign. His camp appeared to be backing long-time ally Hassan Rohani, former nuclear negotiator and senior official with the Expediency Council that is headed by Rafsanjani.

Last week, however, an EA correspondent evaluated reports of the former President saying he might be involved in June's ballot:

[These are] to test the waters and see the extent to which there is animosity to a Rafsanjani candidacy. I guess that Rafs is under a lot of pressure to run, and is probably making sure that [former President Mohammad] Khatami does not run and Rohani backs down before committing.

Sunday's news conference bears out that assessment, with Rafsanjani saying that he would form a multi-party cabinet if elected and that he will reform domestic and foreign policies.