Description
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (born October 28, 1956, in Garmsar, Iran) is an Iranian politician who served as the 6th President of Iran from 2005 to 2013. A member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, he rose to prominence as mayor of Tehran before winning the presidency as a populist candidate.
During his presidency, Ahmadinejad pursued a confrontational foreign policy, notably challenging Western powers over Iran’s nuclear program and making controversial statements about Israel and the Holocaust, which attracted global criticism. Domestically, his tenure was marked by increased repression, including a crackdown on political dissent and civil liberties.
After leaving office, Ahmadinejad attempted to re-enter politics, registering as a candidate in the 2024 presidential election. However, his candidacy was disqualified by the Guardian Council, which oversees electoral eligibility in Iran.
Ahmadinejad remains a polarizing figure, admired by some for his defiance against Western influence and criticized by others for his authoritarian policies and inflammatory rhetoric.
