Iranian officials say more than 1,000 candidates have registered for next month's presidential election. Registration closed Saturday for the June 17th vote.
Officials say this is a record number of presidential hopefuls, but the number of actual candidates who will appear on the ballot will be much lower. Iran's ultra-conservative Guardian Council will review the names and exclude those they say are unsuitable. They are likely to drop the 89 women who registered, although the constitution does not bar them from running.
Current pro-reform President Mohammad Khatami has urged the council not to disqualify those he calls popular candidates. Mr. Khatami is bared from running for a third straight term.