IRANIAN PEOPLE WITH HEARTS OF HOPE

Members of Iran's Basij militia

That proposal was soundly rejected by the powerful Guardians Council and the Interior Ministry. Both bodies argued it would run counter to election legislation. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also weighed in, saying that some are "repeating the lies of our enemies and are questioning the integrity of the [forthcoming] elections."

On May 24, the Islamic Revolution Mojahedin Organization, a small but influential reformist group, issued a statement warning the Basij Resistance Force against interfering in the election campaign. There are clear indications that many rank-and-file members of the Basij militia have become involved in the election campaign.