Former Iranian President Ahmadinejad announces he may run in elections

Ahmadinejad, in a video where he addressed supporters who gathered in front of his house to urge him to run, said, "I am evaluating the conditions and weighing which action is in the best interest of the country, the people, and today's Iran."

Stating that the country's conditions are sensitive, Ahmadinejad added, "As you have also suggested, I am evaluating it and will announce the result to you."

HIS CANDIDACY HAD BEEN VETOED TWICE

Conservative politician Ahmadinejad, who served two terms between 2005 and 2013, wanted to run against former President Hassan Rouhani in 2017, but his candidacy was rejected.

Ahmadinejad's request to run in the 2021 presidential elections against President Ebrahim Raisi, who lost his life in a helicopter crash on May 19, was also vetoed by the Guardian Council.

ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 28

Following Raisi's death in a helicopter crash on May 19, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber assumed the presidency on an interim basis with the approval of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in accordance with the Constitution.

According to the Iranian Constitution, in the event of the death of the incumbent president, a council consisting of the Speaker of Parliament, the Head of the Judiciary, and the First Vice President must make the necessary arrangements to elect a new president within a maximum of 50 days.

In line with this, it was decided at an extraordinary meeting held on May 20 between the heads of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches that the Presidential Election would be held on June 28.

In Iran, presidents are elected by the public from among candidates approved by the Guardian Council.

News Source: AA