“According to the law, disqualified candidates cannot appeal the decision of the Guardian Council,” said Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaei the spokesman of the Council in an interview with Iran’s state TV on Tuesday.

Just a few hours after list of vetted presidential candidates publicly announced, Kadkhodaei appeared in the state TV to explain the decision of the Guardian Council.

Removal of Iran’s former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani from the presidential race generated surprise in the reformist front which was hoping to return to the power with supporting Hashemi.

“We considered the age of the candidate. So the Guardian Council believes that an old candidate, despite his well management ability, is not physically capable to accept the responsibilities of presidency,” Kadkhodaei said.

Hashemi’s old age (78) has been the target of criticism by his rivals and authorities.

“If a presidential candidate disqualified by the Guardian Council, it doesn’t mean that he is not qualified to perform in other political positions,” he said.

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