Iran Presidential Elections: Former Prez Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Registers Himself For June 28

Dubai: Iran's hard-line former President Mahmoud Ahminej registered Sunday as a possible candidate for presidential election, seeking to regain country's top political position after a helicopter crash killed nation's president.

populist former leer's registration puts pressure on Supreme Leer Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In office, Ahminej openly challenged 85-year-old cleric, and his attempt to run in 2021 was barred by authorities.

firebrand, Holocaust-questioning politician's return comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and West over Tehran's rapidly vancing nuclear program, its arming of Russia in its war on Ukraine and its wide-reaching crackdowns on dissent.

Associated Press journalists in Tehran saw Ahminej arrive at Interior Ministry and begin registration process. Before his arrival, his supporters chanted and waved Iranian flags.

An election is planned June 28 to replace Khamenei's hard-line protégé President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May along with seven or people.

Ahminej previously served two four-year terms from 2005 to 2013. Under Iranian law, he became eligible to run again after four years out of office, but he remains a polarizing figure even among fellow hard-liners.

His disputed re-election in 2009 sparked massive “Green Movement” protests and a sweeping crackdown in which thousands of people were detained and dozens were killed.

Abro, he became a caricature of Western perceptions of Islamic Republic's worst attribute, questioning Holocaust, insisting Iran h no gay or lesbian citizens and hinting Iran could build a nuclear weapon if it chose to do so.

But Ahminej remains popular among poor for his populist efforts and home-building programs. Since leaving office, he's raised his profile via social media and written widely publicized letters to world leers. He's also criticised government corruption, though his own ministration faced graft allegations and two of his former vice presidents were jailed.

Khamenei warned Ahminej in 2017 that his standing for office again would be a “polarized situation” that would be “harmful for county.” Khamenei said nothing during Ahminej's 2021 attempt, when his candidacy was rejected by 12-member Guardian Council, a panel of clerics and jurists ultimately overseen by Khamenei. That panel has never accepted a woman or anyone calling for rical change to country's governance.

That panel could reject Ahminej again. However, race to replace Raisi has yet to draw a candidate with clear, overwhelming support from Khamenei.

(Except for heline, this story has not been edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed.)