Former leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad registers to run for Iran's presidency

Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at a press conference on June 2 after registering as a presidential candidate

With his election registration, Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is currently the most prominent candidate for the Iranian presidential election held on June 28, according to Reuters.

Mr. Ahmadinejad's decision to run for election is said to increase pressure on Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, because during his time in office, Mr. Ahmadinejad often had views contrary to the supreme leader.

We will have to wait until June 11, when the official list of presidential candidates is announced, to know whether Mr. Ahmadinejad's name will be approved by the clerics-led Supreme Council.

Mr. Ahmadinejad was first elected President of Iran in 2005 and stepped down in 2013 after completing two consecutive terms.

In 2017, the Supreme Council removed his name from the candidate list after Supreme Leader Khamenei warned that his candidacy was "not beneficial for himself or the country".

In 2018, Mr. Ahmadinejad wrote a letter calling on the Supreme Leader to allow "free" elections in the country.

Speaking at a press conference after registering to run for election on June 2, the former president commented that Iran is facing economic, political, cultural and security problems that are completely different from those in 2013, when he left office.

He said that if elected, he would pledge to improve economic relations with all countries and implement a constructive approach to the world.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cuu-lanh-dao-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-dang-ky-tranh-cu-tong-thong-iran-185240602171729474.htm