21 Feb
The United States has imposed sanctions on five Iranian officials in charge of "vetting" candidates for Friday's parliamentary elections.
The officials include Ahmad Jannati, secretary of the Guardian Council, along with another council member. They also include three members of its Elections Supervisory Committee.
The Guardian Council is under the authority of the Iranian leadership. It screens potential candidates for national elections based on criteria such as loyalty to the regime.
Ahead of Friday's election, the council disqualified many pro-reformists and moderates.
US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook told reporters that the five officials have denied free and fair parliamentary elections to the Iranian people.
The US government appears to be trying to pressure the Iranian leadership by questioning the validity of the country's elections.
NHK
