Former Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has registered as a candidate for the upcoming presidential elections set for June 28. Known for his hardline views, Ahmadinejad’s decision to run has added pressure on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with whom he had strained relations due to disagreements over domestic policies during his previous tenure.
Ahmadinejad, a controversial figure both domestically and internationally, was criticized for his hostility toward countries like Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as for his remarks denying the Holocaust.
His candidacy comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the West over Tehran’s advancing nuclear program, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and Iran’s support of Russia in the war on Ukraine. Ahmadinejad, who served as president from 2005 to 2013, had previously attempted to run in the 2021 election but was barred by the Guardian Council, following warnings from Khamenei about the potential for increased polarization in the country.
