Leader Confirms Reports of His Advice to Ahmadinejad against Running for Presidency

Speculation has recently run rampant that the former president Ahmadinejad would run for presidency in the 2017 election.

There have been also reports that Ahmadinejad had a private meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei at the Leader’s residence in the past few weeks to purportedly announce his readiness to run for the president’s office.

Some political figures had earlier said that Ayatollah Khamenei has advised Ahmadinejad against running for upcoming presidential election due to be held in spring.

Speaking at the beginning of an advanced course on Islamic religious studies on Monday, Ayatollah Khamenei confirmed that he has advised a gentleman [without mentioning a specific name] in a recent visit to “avoid getting involved in a certain event [election]” for the good of the country and of that individual himself.

“We did not tell him not to participate either,” the Leader explained, saying the individual has been told that his involvement “is not deemed expedient.”

Ayatollah Khamenei noted that a holistic view of the country’s situation and that specific figure’s conditions led to the recommendation that he had better avoid engagement in the event to prevent polarization of the country.

The Leader once again stressed that he has not ordered anybody to get involved or stay away, saying this is not about ruling, but about expediency, Tasnim reported.

Ayatollah Khamenei called on Iranian political figures to avoid taking actions that could provoke polarity within the society, warning that enemies are waiting to take advantage of disagreements among Iran’s political forces.

“Bipolarity is detrimental to the country,” Ayatollah Khamenei warned.

The Leader also reminded the political figures to refrain from “the moves that could risk the country’s unity and integrity”, saying the enemies are waiting to take advantage of any polarity or conflict in Iran.

“We need to move in the enemy’s opposite direction,” Ayatollah Khamenei underlined.