Ex-president Ahmadinejad registers for Iran’s June 28 election

Iran’s hard-line former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad registered on Sunday as a potential candidate for the presidential election, aiming to reclaim the country’s top political position after the nation’s president was killed in a helicopter crash.

Ahmadinejad’s registration adds pressure on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. During his time in office, Ahmadinejad frequently challenged the 85-year-old cleric, and his attempt to run in 2021 was blocked by authorities.

Known for his controversial statements and Holocaust denial, Ahmadinejad’s return comes amidst heightened tensions between Iran and the West over Tehran’s nuclear program, its support of Russia in the Ukraine conflict, and widespread crackdowns on dissent. Additionally, Iran’s backing of proxy militias across the Middle East has gained increased attention as Yemen’s Houthi rebels target ships in the Red Sea due to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Ahmadinejad is the most prominent candidate to register so far. After registering, he pledged to pursue “constructive engagement” with the world and improve economic relations globally.

“The economic, political, cultural, and security problems are beyond the situation in 2013,” Ahmadinejad stated, referencing the year he completed his second presidential term.

Speaking to journalists, Ahmadinejad declared, “Long live the spring, long live Iran!” His supporters, waving Iranian flags, surrounded him and chanted, “God is the greatest!”

At Iran’s Interior Ministry, he followed the registration protocol, displaying his passport to numerous photographers and video journalists. As his candidacy was processed, he turned to journalists, nodding and smiling for the cameras. He was expected to speak further after completing his registration.

The upcoming election on June 28 will choose a successor to Khamenei’s hard-line protégé, President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May along with seven others.

Former parliament speaker Ali Larijani, a conservative aligned with former President Hassan Rouhani, has also registered, as has former Iranian Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati, a 2021 candidate.

Other potential candidates remain uncertain. Acting President Mohammad Mokhber, seen meeting with Khamenei, could be a front runner. Former reformist President Mohammad Khatami is also a possible contender, but like Ahmadinejad, his candidacy is uncertain.

The five-day registration period closes on Tuesday, and the Guardian Council will announce the final list of candidates within 10 days, allowing for a brief two-week campaign before the June vote.

Ahmadinejad, who served two four-year terms from 2005 to 2013, remains eligible to run again after being out of office for four years. However, he is a divisive figure even among hard-liners. His disputed 2009 re-election led to the “Green Movement” protests and a harsh crackdown, resulting in numerous detentions and deaths.

Internationally, Ahmadinejad became infamous for his inflammatory rhetoric, including Holocaust denial, claims that Iran had no LGBTQ citizens, and suggestions that Iran could develop nuclear weapons if desired.

Despite controversies, Ahmadinejad remains popular among the poor for his populist policies and housing programs. Since leaving office, he has maintained a high profile through social media and publicized letters to world leaders, and he has criticized government corruption despite his administration facing graft allegations and the imprisonment of two vice presidents.

In 2017, Khamenei warned Ahmadinejad that running for office again would create a “polarized situation” harmful to the country. Although Khamenei did not comment on Ahmadinejad’s 2021 attempt, the Guardian Council rejected his candidacy. The Council, overseen by Khamenei, has never accepted a woman or anyone advocating radical changes to Iran’s governance.

The Guardian Council could reject Ahmadinejad again, but the race to replace Raisi has yet to produce a candidate with clear, overwhelming support from Khamenei.