Dubai, June 3, 2024 – Iran’s former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, known for his hardline stance, has officially registered as a candidate for the upcoming presidential election set for June 28, state media reported on Sunday. Ahmadinejad’s bid comes in the wake of the tragic death of the former president Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on May 19.
Following his registration at the interior ministry, Ahmadinejad expressed confidence in his ability to address the nation’s challenges. “I am confident that all the country’s problems can be solved by making maximum use of national capacities,” he stated.
However, Ahmadinejad’s candidacy is not guaranteed. The Guardian Council, a cleric-led body of 12 jurists responsible for vetting presidential candidates, will release the final list of approved candidates on June 11. The registration period for candidates, which began last Thursday, concludes today.
Other notable figures have also entered the race, including Ali Larijani, a moderate ex-parliament speaker, and Saeed Jalili, an ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator. Ahmadinejad, 67, who was first elected president in 2005, served two consecutive terms, stepping down in 2013 due to term limits. His presidency was marked by significant tension with Western nations, primarily concerning Iran’s nuclear program and his provocative statements regarding Israel.
In a previous attempt to return to office in 2017, Ahmadinejad was disqualified by the Guardian Council, following a warning from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who advised that his candidacy was “not in his interest and that of the country.” A notable rift between Ahmadinejad and Khamenei emerged when Ahmadinejad openly called for checks on the Supreme Leader’s authority and advocated for “free” elections in a letter to Khamenei in 2018.
Khamenei had initially supported Ahmadinejad during his controversial re-election in 2009, which sparked widespread protests resulting in dozens of deaths and numerous arrests. The unrest was eventually suppressed by security forces, but it left a lasting impact on the Iranian political landscape.
As the registration period closes and the Guardian Council prepares to vet the candidates, the upcoming election promises to be a pivotal moment for Iran, with potential shifts in its domestic and international policies hinging on the outcome.