Hardline judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi is widely tipped to win June 18 vote, after many potential heavyweights disqualified

Powerful Guardian Council says it is not obligated to tell candidates why it has rejected their candidacy

Hardliner Ebrahim Raisi, widely expected to win June 18 race, addresses thousands of supporters in crowded stadium amid rising infection count and scorching temperatures

But former Iranian Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati stresses that a US return to nuclear deal is key, and that so far, Washington has shown 'anything serious' yet

Outgoing president criticizes hardliners over women's rights, internet censorship in response to their attacks over 'hope' campaign surroundeding now-tattered 2015 nuke deal

June 18 election will see voters pick a new candidate replacing term-limited president; 7 aspirants focus their attention on departing leader in 3-hour televised debate

Ultraconservative judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi is widely seen as a favorite to win June 18 election

Decision comes after Khamenei admits 'some were wronged in vetting process' after just 7 of 600 candidates approved to run in race many say is a foregone conclusion

Only 7 out of 600 hopefuls approved to run, including 5 ultra-conservatives; many likely to stay away from vote expected to focus on corruption, economy and not nuclear deal

Supreme leader responds to opposition's #NototheIslamicRepublic social media campaign, after just 7 mainly ultraconservative candidates approved to run in election