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Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to stand for Iran presidency Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to stand for Iran presidency
(34 minutes later)
Iranian ex-President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has registered for June's presidential election, a few minutes before an official deadline.Iranian ex-President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has registered for June's presidential election, a few minutes before an official deadline.
Correspondents say Mr Rafsanjani, 78, is virtually assured the support of reformers and could pose a real challenge to the country's conservative leadership.Correspondents say Mr Rafsanjani, 78, is virtually assured the support of reformers and could pose a real challenge to the country's conservative leadership.
Constitutionally, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad cannot stand again.Constitutionally, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad cannot stand again.
But his choice of candidate registered minutes before Mr Rafsanjani.But his choice of candidate registered minutes before Mr Rafsanjani.
Hardline nationalist Esfandyar Rahim-Mashaei, a close friend of Mr Ahmadinjed, is also seen as a threat to the clerical elite around Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Hardline nationalist Esfandyar Rahim-Mashaei, a close friend of Mr Ahmadinjed, is also seen as a threat to the clerical elite around Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, has also registered. He is seen as close to Ayatollah Khamenei.Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, has also registered. He is seen as close to Ayatollah Khamenei.
More than 400 candidates in total have registered but Iran's Guardian Council - a body controlled by the supreme leader - decides who can stand.More than 400 candidates in total have registered but Iran's Guardian Council - a body controlled by the supreme leader - decides who can stand.
The results of the last presidential elections, in 2009, were disputed by the reformist opposition, triggering mass street protests.The results of the last presidential elections, in 2009, were disputed by the reformist opposition, triggering mass street protests.
Seen as a moderate, Mr Rafsanjani is expected to gain support from reformers after supporting the protests.Seen as a moderate, Mr Rafsanjani is expected to gain support from reformers after supporting the protests.
Opinion polls suggest he is currently the most popular of the candidates.Opinion polls suggest he is currently the most popular of the candidates.
'Lack of trust''Lack of trust'
The former president put his name forward in the last half hour before nominations closed.The former president put his name forward in the last half hour before nominations closed.
His aides said he was waiting to see whether Iran's supreme leader would have any objections to his running as a candidate.His aides said he was waiting to see whether Iran's supreme leader would have any objections to his running as a candidate.
"I came to serve. It is the right of the people to choose me or not," Iranian media quoted him as saying as he registered."I came to serve. It is the right of the people to choose me or not," Iranian media quoted him as saying as he registered.
Mr Rafsanjani has said in the past that in his view Ayatollah Khamenei, his long-time comrade, no longer trusts him.Mr Rafsanjani has said in the past that in his view Ayatollah Khamenei, his long-time comrade, no longer trusts him.
He has also said he does not want a set-up where the two top figures in the Islamic republic are at odds with each other.He has also said he does not want a set-up where the two top figures in the Islamic republic are at odds with each other.
But BBC Persian TV's Kasra Naji says he feels the country is going through a serious crisis and that he can help steer Iran to calmer waters. But BBC Persian's Kasra Naji says he feels the country is going through a serious crisis and that he can help steer Iran to calmer waters.
Mr Rafsanjani, who was president from 1989 to 1997, also led the Expediency Council, a political arbitration body, and was parliamentary speaker. Mr Rafsanjani, who was president from 1989 to 1997, leads the Expediency Council, a political arbitration body.