Debunked: US pointsman's remarks about Iran election far removed from reality

By Alireza Akbari

In a series of tweets, days ahead of the June 28 snap presidential election in Iran, the acting special envoy for Iran at the US State Department resorted to willful distortion of facts

Abram Paley took to the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) on June 26 to comment on the Iranian presidential election in a manner that many social media users found condescending and smacking of desperation to distort the reality and indoctrinate the minds of people in the West.

He referred to the election coverage in the Islamic Republic, freedom of peaceful assembly, and his country’s stance on human rights in Iran, seeking to undermine the vibrant Iranian democracy.

What was particularly bizarre was his remark that the United States has “no expectation of free and fair elections” or “fundamental changes in Iran’s direction.”

To set the record straight, a free and fair election encompasses political liberties, transparent pre-election processes, the accurate tally of eligible voters, the absence of voter suppression, and the acceptance of the election's outcome gracefully by all parties involved.

Friday’s election in Iran, which came in the wake of the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raeisi, saw candidates of different political alignments taking part, the competition being open and inclusive and all parties gracefully accepting the people’s verdict on Saturday.

Contrary to that, one finds just the opposite when evaluating the electoral process in Paley’s country.

Candidates contesting elections in the US are chosen by influential corporate houses, lobby groups and the military-industrial complex, which results in two people mentally and physically unfit in the race.

An old man who cannot even speak properly or stand on his toes is entrusted with the affairs of the government, contrary to the wishes and aspirations of millions of people in the country.

Also, when the results are announced, the supporters of the losing party storm a government building and ransack everything instead of benevolently accepting the outcome and moving on.

Paley also referred to "harassing and intimidating journalists, suppressing election coverage, and denying freedom of peaceful assembly" in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Examining the broader context of free speech and freedom of expression in the US is essential.

Hundreds of journalists were brutally manhandled and detained while covering the student protests against the Israeli-American genocide in Gaza in recent months.

In the Gaza Strip itself, hundreds of journalists and their relatives have been killed by the Israeli regime using American weapons in the past eight months, but Paley and his colleagues have been light-lipped.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), as of June 28, 2024, over 100 journalists and media personnel have lost their lives as a result of the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, making it the deadliest period for journalists since the CPJ commenced its data collection in 1992.

The figures provided by the government authorities in Gaza and independent human rights groups have put the toll much higher, not including those who are still trapped under the debris and unaccounted for in different parts of the besieged territory.

Contrary to Paley's claims, the presidential candidates in Iran have in recent weeks been engaged in electoral campaigns through various mediums including televised programs, live debates, and roundtable discussions broadcasted by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

Domestic news agencies in Iran have also extensively covered the election in a fair manner, providing equal space to all four candidates who were running for the presidency in the first round.

Statistics indicate that the televised programs in the lead-up to Election Day led to a marked decline in people’s hesitation to participate in the election, revealing a heightened level of awareness among citizens regarding the candidates' proposed economic, cultural, and political agendas.

This underscores the importance of the media’s role in engaging and informing the Iranian populace, demonstrating its role as a pivotal source of election-related news.

Furthermore, on the day of the election results, approximately 70 journalists from Iran and foreign countries were present at the election headquarters in the early hours of the morning to provide comprehensive coverage of the event.

Additionally, more than 500 journalists from 150 foreign news agencies representing 31 countries were actively reporting on the 14th presidential election in Iran.

Lastly, mocking Paley's assertions about the infringement upon "freedom of peaceful assembly," tens of thousands of supporters of various candidates took to the streets to express their support.

Paley also said the United States will continue to defend “human rights” in Iran.

What the world has witnessed in recent months on university campuses across the country have been grave human rights abuses, preventing young Americans from expressing themselves politically.

The widespread arrests exceeding 3,000 at campuses nationwide, coupled with punitive measures like suspensions, points to a dichotomy between what Washington preaches and practices.

The US sponsorship of the Israeli regime's genocidal war crimes in the Gaza Strip by providing it with political, diplomatic and military support has been spoken about by many rights groups.

The Joe Biden administration is equally complicit in the killing of nearly 38,000 Palestinians, most of them children and women, the biggest tragedy of our times.

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