Hundreds of thousands gathered in Mashhad’s Martyrs Square on May 17 to rally behind Iranian presidential candidate Ebrahimi Raisi. Raisi is a long-time confidante to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini and announced his candidacy on April 9.Raisi, the head of the Imam Reza Holy Shrine in Mashhad, has had an increased public profile in recent days following Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s decision to withdraw from the election on May 15. Iranian media reports said Raisi has since promised Ghalibaf a major role in his administration, possibly that of the first vice president; however, many of Raisi’s hardline conservative supporters have criticized the potential political deal.The Iranian elections are slated to take place on May 19.