Guardian Council he shapes has never approved a woman presidential candidate under the men of politics rule
Article 115's men of politics and religion phrase, policed by the Guardian Council whose clerical half Khamenei appoints, has blocked every woman who registered for president. In 2021 and again in the 2024 snap election, women candidates were barred while only men were approved. BBC Persian said no woman has been cleared in thirteen presidential cycles.
Editorial timeline of public reporting, not a legal finding.
- All women registrants barred in the 2021 presidential race - BBC News and AP reported that for the 2021 presidential election the Guardian Council approved only six men from a large field and cleared none of the women who had registered. Iranians vote in presidential election marred by disqualification row
- Council sidesteps saying whether men of politics excludes women - BBC Persian reported that the Guardian Council spokesman said there was no ban on women registering, yet would not say whether men of politics includes women. Campaigns demanded an official interpretation. آرزوی داشتن خانم رئیسجمهور در ایران؛ شاید وقتی دیگر
- Four women again barred in the 2024 snap election - BBC Persian and DW reported that four women, including Zohreh Elahian and Hamideh Zarabad, registered for the 2024 snap election, but the Guardian Council again approved only male candidates and no woman reached the ballot. آرزوی داشتن خانم رئیسجمهور در ایران؛ شاید وقتی دیگر