What do Iran, Russia and North Korea have in common? They are all oppressive dictatorships, led by corrupt, autocratic despots who despise opposition and murder their opponents. They are all rogue states who eschew democracy, pervert justice, disdain freedom and have impoverished their people. They all share aggressive nuclear ambitions. Unsurprisingly, they are all close allies.

Recently, elections took place in Iran. Voters were asked to elect members of the Majlis (parliament) and Assembly of Experts. The elections were a complete sham. The Iranian constitution states that a Guardian Council, comprising six theologians appointed by the Supreme leader, the ailing and delusional Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and a further six jurists appointed by the Head of the Judiciary, who is also incidentally appointed by the Supreme Leader, were allowed to vet candidates for the elections.

Candidates for the Majlis and the Assembly of Experts are therefore painstakingly hand-picked, with thousands being disqualified and only those showing maximum allegiance to Khamenei's policy of repression and tyranny selected. Two prominent candidates were rejected, including former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, and former Justice Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi, despite both having blood-soaked credentials.

Based on official results, less than 8% of the eligible voters who cast their ballots voted in the capital Tehran, proving once again that this regime lacks any semblance of legitimacy and that the Iranian people want nothing short of the regime's overthrow.

The main democratic opposition movement – the People's Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK) – has been outlawed and ruthlessly........

© International Business Times