A U.S. diplomatic spokesperson described Iran’s 18 June presidential elections as “pre-manufactured. This was not a free and fair election process in which Iranians were denied their right to choose their own leaders”. He also noted that “ultimately, it is Iran’s supreme leader who determines Iran’s policy on a range of important issues”. Relatedly, a White House spokesperson asserted that President-elect Ebrahim Raisi “will, of course, be held accountable for violations of human rights on his watch going forward”, adding: “We strongly urge the Iranian government, regardless of who’s in power, to release political prisoners, improve respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Iranians”. An Iranian government spokesperson maintained that “such remarks are nothing new and Iran considers them as intervention in its internal affairs and in contrast with the international law”.