Iran bans ex-president Rouhani from running for elite assembly

Iran's conservative Guardian Council, known for its hardline stance, has officially disqualified former pragmatic President Hassan Rouhani from running in the upcoming March election for the Assembly of Experts, as reported by state media on Wednesday. The Assembly of Experts, established in 1982, consists of 88 members and oversees the highest authority in Iran. While it traditionally refrains from direct involvement in policymaking, it possesses the authority to appoint and dismiss the supreme leader.