Update: Iran top leader urges robust growth by tapping domestic potentials

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday urged the presidential hopefuls to rely on the domestic potentials in their programs for economic development, state IRIB TV reported.

"Give words to the people that you won't look beyond the borders to solve the (economic) problems," Khamenei said in a meeting with some of the Iranian political and military officials.

Khamenei said that he is asking the presidential candidates to "promise in their campaigns that for the progress of country, for economic development, they would not rely on the other side of the borders, but on the nation."

He also called on the nation for a high turnout in the upcoming presidential election to disappoint the "enemies of the country."

Khamenei said that the United States and Israel are directing belligerence against Iran.

"Today, all these animosities (targeting Iran) are spearheaded by the United States and Zionists (of Israel),"he was quoted as saying by Press TV.

Massive participation in the election will display the "solidarity, dignity and power" of the Islamic republic, and will disappoint the enemies in their plot against the nation, he added.

Last week, Guardian Council of Constitution, Iran's high legislative body, released the names of six candidates for the upcoming presidential election.

The approved candidates include incumbent President Hassan Rouhani, Tehran Mayor Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf, Imam Reza Ebrahim Raisi, the custodian and chairman of the Shrine of Shiite Imam Reza, the first Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, Mostafa Mirsalim, former adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as president, and former vice president Mostafa Hashemitaba.

The qualified candidates started their election campaigns on early hours of Friday, which will continue until 8 a.m. May 18 local time.

Iran's presidential election is slated for May 19. Endit