Iran's Former Foreign Minister Mottaki To Run For President

Manuchehr Mottaki

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki has announced he will run in the upcoming presidential election.

Mottaki made the announcement in an open letter to Iranians.

The presidential vote is scheduled for June 14.

Mottaki served as Iran’s foreign minister from August 2005 to December 2010.

President Mahmud Ahmadinejad unexpectedly dismissed Mottaki while the foreign minister was on an official trip to Senegal.

No official reason was given for the move.

Sources close to two other Iranian politicians – former commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Mohsen Rezaei and Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf -- have recently indicated their intentions to run for the presidency.

Ahmadinejad, who is in his second term in office, is not eligible to seek another term.

Based on reporting by farsnews.com and mehrnews.com