TEHRAN – Iranians around the world participated in the snap presidential election on Friday, casting their ballots at over 344 polling stations set up for overseas voters. 

The first voters were in New Zealand and Australia, followed by citizens in Asia, Europe, and Africa accounting for time zone differences. Polling stations were opened in dozens of countries including South Korea, Japan, Turkey, Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Britain, France, Germany, and Greece. 

However, Iranians residing in Canada, where the government has been on the course of escalating tensions with Tehran, were not permitted to vote in the country. Instead, eligible Iranian voters were told to head to polling stations located along the US-Canada border.

“Canada, which claims to be a defender of human rights, was the only country that hindered the progress of the democratic process in Iran. It openly prevented the participation of over 100,000 Iranian voters in the elections,” Iran’s acting Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri Kani announced during a press conference at the Foreign Ministry on Friday, “Continuing their enmity and confrontation with the people of Iran, the Canadian government once again demonstrated another aspect of this hostility,” he added. 

Iranians turn up to vote despite disruptive and dangerous atmosphere

Reports have suggested several instances of harassment and violence against Iranian voters attempting to cast ballots in Western countries. 

Videos circulating online show individuals, believed to be affiliated with separatist or monarchist groups, waving flags and verbally abusing voters outside polling stations. 

One video from Britain captures a woman being subjected to verbal sexual harassment, with derogatory terms being used against her. The video shows no police presence, despite the assault being filmed by one of the attackers. 

In Germany, an elderly man reported being physically assaulted near his home after leaving a polling station. He claimed he was followed by individuals he identified as anti-Iran thugs and is now concerned for his safety.

Some of the attackers have openly boasted about assaulting the voters, saying they will try to identify anyone who shows up at the polling stations.

Despite the dangers, Iranians remained resolute in practicing their right to vote, saying they do not care that traitors, terrorists, and Israeli lackeys are trying to intimidate them. 

Israeli and Western-funded media outlets had been actively propagating against participation in the elections in the days leading to the June 28 vote.