Independent presidential candidate Mohsen Rezaei speaks at a press conference in Tehran on June 12, 2013.<\/p>\n
Presidential candidate Mohsen Rezaei says upholding the ideals of the 1979 Islamic Revolution will top his administration\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s foreign policy if he wins the June 14 election.\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cWe will stand fast on the values of the [Islamic] Revolution. We are very serious. Steadfastness is of course more important than resistance,\u201d the independent candidate said at a press conference in Tehran on Wednesday.\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cResistance is currently restricted to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Palestine and Lebanon. This resistance is a part of the Iranian nation\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s steadfastness. Today, we are considered the standard-bearer of the fight against oppression in Africa,\u201d he said.\n<\/p>\n
Rezaei added that Iran is also seen as the flag-bearer of opposition to human rights violations in Europe and the Americas.\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cIn Asia, we have assisted many countries including Afghanistan\u2026. We do not consider steadfastness [to be limited to what we do] outside our borders but [it is also what we do] inside the country.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cWe say we must stand fast on the values of the [Islamic] Revolution. The values of the Revolution are independence, freedom, the rule of the Just Jurisprudent, religious democracy and justice. We say we must stand committed to these [values], none [of these values] should be preferred over the rest. They should be upheld together.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
He went on to say, \u00c5\u201cIndependence is important. Freedom is also important. We should have liberties that ensure development in the country. We must, of course, strengthen the laws in this regard. Why should liberties be restrained? Why should independence be harmed?\u201d<\/p>\n
Rezaei added, \u00c5\u201cEvery one of these values has a place because they [come together and] form a meaning. For example, the rule of the Just Jurisprudent is the backbone of the country. But can we have the rule of the Just Jurisprudent without freedom? Can we have the rule of the Just Jurisprudent without democracy? Democracy and freedom are also meaningless without the rule of the Just Jurisprudent.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cMy main point is that all the values of the revolution \u2026 are important to us, and this is what we will do in the next administration. God willing, we will make our utmost efforts to stand fast on the values of the Revolution. We will seriously defend liberties. Anyone who uses their legitimate rights, we will not allow anybody to harm them and will protect them,\u201d he stated.\n<\/p>\n
Rezaei is facing five rivals including President of the Expediency Council\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s Center for Strategic Research Hassan Rohani, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Saeed Jalili, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, and former Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Gharazi.\n<\/p>\n
The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term in a national election. Nearly 50.5 million Iranians are eligible to vote in the upcoming presidential election.\n<\/p>\n
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