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Former Guards Air Force Commander Elected Iran Speaker

Iranian lawmakers attend the opening ceremony of Iran's 11th parliament, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Tehran, Iran, May 27, 2020. Official Presidential website/Handout via REUTERS
Iranian lawmakers attend the opening ceremony of Iran's 11th parliament, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Tehran, Iran, May 27, 2020. Official Presidential website/Handout via REUTERS
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Former Guards Air Force Commander Elected Iran Speaker

Iranian lawmakers attend the opening ceremony of Iran's 11th parliament, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Tehran, Iran, May 27, 2020. Official Presidential website/Handout via REUTERS
Iranian lawmakers attend the opening ceremony of Iran's 11th parliament, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Tehran, Iran, May 27, 2020. Official Presidential website/Handout via REUTERS

Iranian lawmakers elected former Revolutionary Guards air force commander Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Thursday as parliament speaker for one year.

State TV said 230 lawmakers, out of 264, voted for Qalibaf, who served as Tehran’s mayor from 2005 to 2017.

Qalibaf ran unsuccessfully in two presidential races and was forced to drop out of a third to avoid splitting the hardline vote. He revived his political ambitions by standing for parliament.

Thursday's vote saw Qalibaf succeed Ali Larijani, who had held the post since 2008.

Separately, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appointed Larijani as his adviser and member of the Expediency Council, a body intended to resolve disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council.

The Guardian Council must approve all candidates for elections in Iran, including for parliament.

The Council disqualified thousands of moderate and leading conservative candidates from taking part in Iran's Feb. 21 parliamentary election, leaving voters to choose mainly between hardline and low-key conservative candidates loyal to Khamenei.

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Greece Says 8 Dead, 18 Rescued as Speedboat with Migrants Capsizes near Island

Migrant route from Türkiye to Greece has seen increased usage this year (AFP/file photo)
Migrant route from Türkiye to Greece has seen increased usage this year (AFP/file photo)
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Greece Says 8 Dead, 18 Rescued as Speedboat with Migrants Capsizes near Island

Migrant route from Türkiye to Greece has seen increased usage this year (AFP/file photo)
Migrant route from Türkiye to Greece has seen increased usage this year (AFP/file photo)

A speedboat carrying migrants capsized Friday morning off the eastern Greek island of Rhodes, leaving eight dead and 18 rescued, Greek authorities said.
The coast guard said the incident occurred while the speedboat was carrying out “dangerous maneuvers” to try and evade a patrol vessel, causing migrants to fall into the sea.
A rescue effort is underway involving coast guard vessels and a helicopter as it was unclear whether other passengers were missing, authorities said.
Rhodes, one of several large Greek islands located near the coast of Türkiye, is on a busy illegal smuggling route in the eastern Mediterranean. It was the second deadly incident involving migrants in the past week, as authorities in Athens brace for a spike in arrivals as a result of wars in the Middle East.
Seven migrants were killed and dozens are believed to be missing after a boat partially sank south of the island of Crete over the weekend – one of four rescue operations during which more than 200 migrants were rescued.
The search south of Crete around the tiny island of Gavdos was called off Wednesday.
The number of migrants traveling illegally to Greece is expected to top 60,000 this year, with Syrians making up the largest number, followed by Afghans, Egyptians, Eritreans and Palestinians, according to government data.