Ahmadinejad again joins the race to become president, got registered, elections will be held in Iran on this day

Iran’s hardline former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad registered Sunday as a potential candidate for the presidential election, scheduled for Nov. 28 after the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.

Ahmadinejad’s registration could raise concerns for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The return of the firebrand, Holocaust-questioning politician comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the West over Tehran’s fast-moving nuclear program and other issues.

Ahmadinejad arrived at the Interior Ministry and registered. His supporters were present there and chanting slogans. Ahmadinejad was president twice, from 2005 to 2013. Under Iranian law, he is eligible to run for re-election after being out of office for four years. His disputed re-election in 2009 sparked massive protests and a widespread crackdown in which thousands were detained and dozens killed. Ahmadinejad remains popular among the poor because of his populist efforts and home-building programs.

Ahmadinejad recently said, ‘Rapid changes are taking place not only in Iran but in the world and I hope that we will soon see pleasant changes.’ For information, let us tell you that the former president was not given a chance to participate in the 2017 elections, after which he became a little angry with the system. He even openly condemned Ali Khamenei. For the last two years, he has been working very carefully and rarely gives critical statements.