ESFAHAN, Iran — Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s attempt at a political comeback came to an abrupt end following his reported Aug. 30 meeting with the supreme leader. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reportedly told Ahmadinejad that his provincial tours in recent months were inappropriate and that his candidacy in the May 2017 presidential election would be divisive, thus effectively barring him from taking part in the vote.
As news of the meeting surfaced, Ahmadinejad’s supporters, who initially dismissed the reports of Khamenei’s recommendation, quickly began raising doubt about whether the meeting had even taken place and, more so, what was reported to have transpired. As such, on Sept. 27, Khamenei personally and openly confirmed his reported discouragement of Ahmadinejad’s candidacy in the May 2017 election. In an open letter issued on the same day, Ahmadinejad declared his obedience to the supreme leader and stated that he would follow his recommendation.
