Iranian Government to Hold Referendum on Electoral Law

Two Iranians walk past a mural in one of Tehran’s streets on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 (EPA)
Two Iranians walk past a mural in one of Tehran’s streets on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 (EPA)
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Iranian Government to Hold Referendum on Electoral Law

Two Iranians walk past a mural in one of Tehran’s streets on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 (EPA)
Two Iranians walk past a mural in one of Tehran’s streets on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 (EPA)

The Iranian government announced Wednesday it was preparing a new draft law for a referendum that would limit the powers of the Guardian Council of the Constitution.

The 12-member Guardian Council consists of six Muslim clerics appointed by the Supreme Leader and six lawyers elected by parliament. It is charged with ensuring that draft laws do not contradict with religious laws or Iran’s constitution and overseeing elections and legislation.

Iranian president's assistant for legal affairs Laya Junaidi made the announcement and was quoted by news agencies as saying that the bill will be presented to the Iranian cabinet to set the framework for overseeing the Guardian Council.

She pointed to differences between the government and the Guardian Council in interpreting the task of corrective oversight.

“Any interpretation must respect the boundaries when implemented, she stressed, adding that “if it causes the prohibition, restriction, and loss of rights, the original right must be taken into consideration.”

Electoral campaigns will be launched on Thursday (today), eight days before the Iranians head to the ballot boxes to vote, amid fears of declining turnout.

President Hassan Rouhani slammed on Tuesday the disqualification of thousands of people, including 90 current lawmakers, from running in upcoming parliamentary elections.

Most of those rejected were reformist and moderate candidates who were disqualified due to “financial problems,” a reference to embezzlement and corruption.

He indirectly called for the need to hold a referendum in the country over a new system of rule amid internal criticism of the Supreme Leader’s control over state affairs and agencies, vastly exceeding the power of the government.

The President said the current system is based on the “will of the people” and the “referendum.”

He issued an order on Feb. 7 to submit a regulation on “reforming the supervision of the elections.”

Rouhani’s orders came in response to a message by the “Union of the Nation of Iran” - the largest reformist party - which asked the Iranian president, a few days ago, to submit a draft-law to conduct a referendum on the supervision of the Guardian Council.

The Union of the Nation of Iran party took advantage of Rouhani’s statements about the need to hold a referendum and urged him to return to the public opinion on sensitive issues, such as economy, politics, society, and culture.



Netanyahu Expected to Talk Tariffs with Trump in Washington on Monday, Officials Say

US President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the entrance of the White House in Washington, US, February 4, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File photo
US President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the entrance of the White House in Washington, US, February 4, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File photo
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Netanyahu Expected to Talk Tariffs with Trump in Washington on Monday, Officials Say

US President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the entrance of the White House in Washington, US, February 4, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File photo
US President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the entrance of the White House in Washington, US, February 4, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File photo

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to visit the White House on Monday to discuss recently announced tariffs with US President Donald Trump, three Israeli officials said on Saturday.

The impromptu visit was first reported by Axios, which said that if the visit takes place, the Israeli leader would be the first foreign leader to meet with Trump in person to try to negotiate a deal to remove tariffs.

Netanyahu's office has not confirmed the visit, that would likely also include discussions on Iran and Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza.

The surprise invite by Trump came in a phone-call on Thursday with Netanyahu, who is presently on a visit to Hungary, when the Israeli leader raised the tariff issue, according to the Israeli officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, Reuters reported.

As part of a sweeping new tariff policy announced by Trump, unspecified Israeli goods exports to the United States face a 17% tariff. The US is Israel's closest ally and largest single trading partner.

An Israeli finance ministry official said on Thursday that Trump's latest tariff announcement could impact Israel's exports of machinery and medical equipment.

Israel had already moved to cancel its remaining tariffs on US imports on Tuesday. The two countries signed a free trade agreement 40 years ago and about 98% of goods from the US are now tax-free.