US State Department Declares Iran's Elections Staged

The U.S. special representative for Iran, Brian Hook, stated that the upcoming parliamentary elections in Iran are staged, and real elections have already been held "in secret."

“Tomorrow, the Iranian regime will present an event that is, in a metaphorical sense, an election. Unfortunately, for the people of Iran, the real elections took place in secret, and the ballots were filled out long ago,” Hook said during a press briefing.

The American diplomat attributed this to the members of the Guardian Council, five high-ranking officials against whom the U.S. has imposed sanctions.

It should be noted that parliamentary elections in Iran will take place tomorrow, on February 21.