Azernews.Az

Principlist candidate Ali Akbar Velayati promised free healthcare, if he becomes Iran's next president.

Speaking to a group of university students and scholars in Tehran, the presidential candidate said that if ratified by the parliament, people will initially have to pay for about thirty percent of their healthcare expenses, while the services will be provided completely free of charge in the long run, IRIB news agency reported.

The senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to the important contribution of rural areas to domestic production, adding that free healthcare coverage should start form those areas.

In another interview, Velayati said that the US and Israel have admitted to Iran's cyber power.

"Iran should provide a defense circle to block its foes' cyber attacks," he added.

Velayati is a member of the principlist Coalition of Three, along with Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and MP Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel.

Addressing a press conference on June 2, Haddad-Adel said that he sees no reason to step aside in favor of other candidates of the coalition.

Another presidential candidate, reformist Mohammad Reza Aref has vowed to put forth a comprehensive plan for the economy if he is elected Iran's next president, Press TV reported.

Aref, who was giving a televised speech on June 1, also pledged to create one million new jobs each year, eliminate unemployment and boost Iranians' purchasing power.

On foreign policy, the former first vice president said he would expand relations with Muslim nations as well as members of the Non-Aligned Movement.

The presidential candidate said his foreign policy will be based on protecting national interests, with an eye on respecting the interests of other states.

Aref will be vying against Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, President of the Center for Strategic Research of the Expediency Council Hassan Rohani, lawmaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili, Secretary of Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei, former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, and former Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Gharazi in Iran's upcoming presidential election.

On June 14, Iranians will go to over 66,000 polling stations across the country to choose the nation's 11th president, who will stay in office for the next four-years.