Iranian television reported on Wednesday that former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has submitted his candidacy papers for the presidential elections scheduled for June 18. Television footage showed Ahmadinejad walking with his supporters to the registration center at the Ministry of Interior before filling out the forms. Shortly thereafter, a physical altercation broke out between Ahmadinejad's entourage and members of the committee responsible for registering presidential election candidates.
In recent years, Ahmadinejad has attempted to soften his hardline image and present himself as a more centrist candidate, criticizing the government for its mismanagement. Registration for those wishing to run for the presidency began in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Tuesday and will continue until this Saturday. Candidates can register by visiting the Ministry of Interior from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM from May 11 to May 15.
The registration process opened amid disputes between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and the Guardian Council, which is responsible for reviewing candidate applications and determining their eligibility. On Monday, Rouhani rejected the registration conditions announced by the Guardian Council and instructed Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli that candidate approval should adhere to current law, emphasizing that any changes to the laws should be issued by Parliament.
According to the Guardian Council's announcement last week, eligibility for candidacy will be restricted to individuals aged between 40 and 75, possessing at least a master's degree or equivalent, with a minimum of four years of managerial experience and a clean criminal record. The announcement also permits the candidacy of ministers, governors of regions and provinces, and mayors of cities with populations exceeding two million, as well as military leaders with at least the rank of general.
These new conditions may disqualify several potential candidates, including the current Minister of Communications Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, who is 37 years old. Officially declaring their intention to run are Saeed Mohammad, who led the "Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters" affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard until last March, Rostam Qasemi, the economic advisor to the commander of the Quds Force and former oil minister, and Hossein Dehghan, the defense minister during Rouhani's first term and advisor to the leader on military industries. This has raised concerns about the possibility of a military figure assuming the presidency for at least the next four years.
