The United States has alleged that "behind closed doors, Iran's unelected and unaccountable Guardian Council is vetting Iranian presidential contenders, using vague criteria to eliminate potential candidates."
The allegation was made by US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman in a testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday.
Sherman said the US State Department is watching Iran's June 14 presidential election closely, and added that "Without a transparent process, it is difficult for us to say whether Iran's elections will be free, fair, or represent the will of the Iranian people."
He made it clear that "We take no sides in Iran's presidential election," as "The decision about who leads Iran is for the Iranian people, who should have every opportunity to express freely and openly their opinions, ideas, and hopes for the future of their country." But he said Washington calls on the Iranian authorities "to conduct a free and fair election that not only conforms to international standards of transparency and accountability but is just and represents the will of the Iranian people."
He recalled that "following the last election in 2009, when the regime violently quashed the hopes and dreams of ordinary Iranians who went into the street to demand their fundamental rights, we have seen a deliberate and unrelenting level of repression in the lead-up to these elections."
Sherman submitted a written statement before the Congressional panel, chaired by Menendez. He discussed the Obama Administration's approach to the multiple challenges posed by Iran - by its nuclear ambitions, its support for international terrorism and destabilizing activities in the region, and its human rights abuses at home. He also spoke about those challenges, laid out the multi-vectored strategy the Government is pursuing to counter them, and the consequential choices ahead for America and its allies.
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