Iran's hard-line former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has registered as a possible candidate for the upcoming presidential election. Ahmadinejad, known for his populist approach, is seeking to regain the country's top political position following the recent tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.
Ahmadinejad's registration puts pressure on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with whom he has had a contentious relationship in the past. Ahmadinejad's attempt to run in the 2021 election was barred by authorities, but he has now made a comeback as a prominent candidate for the upcoming election.
His return to the political scene comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the West, particularly over Iran's nuclear program, its involvement in the Ukraine conflict, and its crackdown on dissent.
Ahmadinejad, who previously served two terms as president from 2005 to 2013, remains a polarizing figure both domestically and internationally. While he is popular among the poor for his populist initiatives and home-building programs, he has faced criticism for his controversial statements, including questioning the Holocaust and denying the existence of gay and lesbian citizens in Iran.
The registration process for candidates is ongoing, with former parliament speaker Ali Larijani and former Iranian Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati also having registered. The final list of candidates is expected to be issued by the Guardian Council within 10 days, paving the way for a two-week campaign period before the election scheduled for late June.
Ahmadinejad's potential candidacy has raised concerns, given his history of sparking protests and crackdowns during his time in office. The Guardian Council, which oversees the election process, could reject his candidacy, as it did in 2021. However, with no clear front-runner emerging to replace Raisi, the upcoming election promises to be a closely watched and potentially contentious affair.
