NEWS: Iranian leadership rules out women running for presidency, page 1

In a stunning announcement made earlier in the day, media in Iran was reporting that the leadership of the country was set to allow women the right to run for office. However, in the evening, the reports changed and the man who had been quoted as saying that women could run, was now saying that the councils position had not changed. It is unclear if the spokesman misspoke, or the Council had a change of mind.

story.news.yahoo.com[/ur l]
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's leadership ruled out allowing women to run for president in June elections, denying reports in the state news Media Saturday that it had decided to allow female candidates for the first time.

It was not clear whether the denial meant the Guardian Council was reversing itself or whether the earlier announcement was a mistake.

Throughout the day, state radio and television carried reports quoting council spokesman Gholamhossein Elham saying the council had changed its long-standing policy and allowed women to run.

But in the evening, Media reported Elham denied the new stance.

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The Guardian Council forms the real power in Iran. it is made up of real hard liners. Despite the fact that the President of Iran is a reformer, the Council still holds most of the power and further consolidated it in the last election. More to the point they control the military which is the real key. The majority of Iranians would like more freedoms and closer ties to the West. However, this has been repeatedly blocked by the Council.

[edit on 1/22/05 by FredT]