Iran’s Supreme Leader has told former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad not to stand again in next year’s elections, state media reported on Monday, effectively eliminating a major challenger to pragmatist incumbent Hassan Rouhani.
“He [Ahmadinejad] came to me and I told him not to stand as I think it is not in his interest and that of the country,” Mr. Khamenei was quoted as saying.
Rouhani's popularity surged after last year's deal with world powers that lifted most sanctions on Iran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. — Reuters
