Iran Vetoes Every Woman Running for President

There were 30 among the field of 686 hopefuls
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted May 17, 2013 1:05 PM CDT
Iran Clerics Veto Every Woman Running for President
In this picture taken on Tuesday, May 6, 2013, two Iranian clerics, right, and two women walk in an alley of the eastern city of Birjand, Iran.   (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

A whole heck of a lot of people are running for president of Iran—and after today, they'll all be dudes. In a single pronouncement, Iran's ruling clerics struck all 30 women who had registered for the race from contention, with one telling a semi-official news agency that even putting a woman's name on the ballot would violate Iran's constitution, Fox News reports. The move may not be entirely surprising, but it has angered many Iranians.

"This regime has made the role and only function of women as objects," one female doctor in Tehran said. "Not only will they not allow women to participate as candidates, but our votes and voices are not counted either. They never were." The 30 women were among 686 who signed up to run, and they won't be the only ones cut; the regime will likely announce a final shortlist on Tuesday. (More Iran stories.)

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