Khatami throws his hat in the ring

Posted By Blake Hounshell Sunday, February 8, 2009 - 8:48 PM Share

The Iranian elections just got a whole lot more interesting. Mohammed Khatami, the reformist former president, has announced that he'll be challening Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June. Nasser Karimi for the AP:

Khatami's decision to run against Ahmadinejad could significantly shake up Iran's politics, appealing to citizens disillusioned by the country's failing economy and Ahmadinejad's staunch anti-U.S. foreign policy.

What remains to be seen is to what extent Khatami's entry into the race will energize young Iranians -- especially in Tehran -- who have become deeply disillusioned with politics. And, of course, Ahmadinejad and his hardline allies will probably stop at nothing to win. As the LA Times notes, the president has the Interior Ministry firmly under his thumb, and Khatami is not known as a fighter.

Another big question now: How will Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei play it? In ideology and temperament, he's much closer to Ahmadinejad, who he supported in 2005. But Khamenei's expressed some displeasure with the incumbent over the past year and he certainly doesn't want to be associated with the lousy Iranian economy. Maybe he'll decide to sit this one out?

BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images

EXPLORE:MIDDLE EAST, ELECTIONS, IRAN
 
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MODERATEWINGER

10:46 PM ET

February 8, 2009

This has to be closely watched

If Khatami shows signs of beating Ahmadinejad, especially as the election nears the finish line, the hard liners in Iran will definitely have to be watched so as they don't pull any surprises. Let's hope Iran youth have the opportunity to come out in full force, and help change their country, and take it back from the hard line mullah's.

 

KIDZIB

11:13 AM ET

February 9, 2009

huh?

khamenei backed ghalibaf in 2005. why do u say he supported ahmadinejad? khamenei and ahmadinejad were never close, and have been pretty estranged since late 2007...

 

BLAKE HOUNSHELL

10:05 PM ET

February 9, 2009

so ghalibaf claimed

that's uncertain. but he certainly supported AJ over Rafsanjani in round 2.
 

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