Mahmoud Ahmadinejad submits candidacy for Iranian presidential elections

Erbil (Kurdistan 24) – Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad submitted his candidacy papers on Sunday to run in Iran's upcoming presidential elections.

According to the Iranian Mehr News Agency, 17 candidates have applied to the Election Commission to participate in the elections, scheduled for the end of June.

Reports indicate that the current list of candidates predominantly consists of individuals affiliated with the conservative movement. Meanwhile, reformist forces are still in search of strong figures to join the electoral race.

Among the most prominent candidates are Ali Larijani, the former Speaker of the Shura Council, and Saeed Jalili, the former Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

Both are influential figures within the conservative movement. Additionally, Vahid Haqqanian, a former commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard who is currently on a US sanctions list, has also declared his candidacy.

Raisi, 63, perished on Sunday May 19 along with the Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and six other individuals when their helicopter crashed in a mountainous region in northwestern Iran, returning from a dam inauguration ceremony on the Azerbaijan border.

Read More: Iranian President Raisi, delegation die in helicopter crash

Mehr News Agency announced, "Mr. Ebrahim Raisi was martyred" along with Foreign Minister Hussein Amir Abdullahian.

The Iran’s Supreme Leader declared five days of official mourning and appointed Vice President Mohamed Mokhber, 68, as acting president until elections are held on June 28 to choose Raisi's successor.

Read More: Iranian President laid to rest in Mashhad after fatal crash

Initially scheduled for next year, the presidential elections were advanced due to the incident, raising concerns about the succession.