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Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (also written Ahmadinezhad) (Persian: محمود احمدی‌نژاد ; born October 28, 1956), is the sixth president of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His term began August 3, 2005.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was born in Garmsar, the fourth of seven children born to an ironworker. Ahmadinejad and his family migrated to Tehran when he was one year old. In 1975, he ranked 130th in the nationwide university entrance exams. He then got his diploma and was admitted to the Iran University of Science and Technology in the field of civil engineering. He was accepted as an MS student at the same university in 1986 and got his doctorate in 1987 in the field of engineering and traffic transportation planning while he was the governor of Ardabil province.

Ahmadinejad was the mayor of Tehran from May 3, 2003 until June 28, 2005 when he was elected president. He is widely considered to be a religious conservative with Islamist and populist views. Ahmadinejad was a civil engineer and an assistant professor at the Iran University of Science and Technology before his mayorship.

Politically, Ahmadinejad is a member of the Central Council of the Islamic Society of Engineers, but he has a more powerful base inside the Alliance of Builders of Islamic Iran (Abadgaran). Ahmadinejad is considered one of the main figures in the alliance.

Platform

Ahmadinejad has generally sent mixed signals about his plans for his presidency, which some US-based analysts consider to have been designed to attract both religious conservatives and the lower economic classes. His campaign motto was "It's possible and we can do it" (می‌شود و می‌توانیم).

In his presidential campaign, Ahmadinejad took a populist approach, with emphasis on his own modest life, and had compared himself with Mohammad Ali Rajai, the second president of Iran—a claim that raised objections from Rajai's family. Ahmadinejad claims he plans to create an "exemplary government for the people of the world" in Iran. He is a self-described "principlist"; that is, acting politically based on Islamic and revolutionary principles. One of his goals is "putting the petroleum income on people's tables," referring to Iran's oil profits being distributed among the poor.

Ahmadinejad was the only presidential candidate who spoke out against future relations with the United States. Also, in an interview with Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting a few days before the elections, Ahmadinejad accused the United Nations of being "one-sided, stacked against the world of Islam." He has openly opposed the veto power given to the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. In the same interview, he stated, "It is not just for a few states to sit and veto global approvals. Should such a privilege continue to exist, the Muslim world with a population of nearly 1.5 billion should be extended the same privilege." In addition, he has defended Iran's nuclear program and has accused "a few arrogant powers" of attempting to limit Iran's industrial and technological development in this and other fields. In a question by a Shargh journalist about the release of political prisoners in case he becomes president, Ahmadinejad answered with a question: "Which political prisoners? The political prisoners in the United States?"

After his election he proclaimed, "Thanks to the blood of the martyrs, a new Islamic revolution has arisen and the Islamic revolution of 1384 will, if God wills, cut off the roots of injustice in the world." He said, "The wave of the Islamic revolution will soon reach the entire world."

During his campaign for the second round, he said, "We didn't participate in the revolution for turn-by-turn government This revolution tries to reach a world-wide government." Also he has mentioned that he has an extended program on fighting terrorism in order to improve foreign relations and has called for greater ties with Iran's neighbours and ending visa requirements between states in the region, saying that "People should visit anywhere they wish freely. People should have freedom in their pilgrimages and tours."

As confirmed by Ahmadinejad, Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi, a senior cleric from Qom, is President Ahmadinejad's ideological mentor and spiritual guide. Ayatollah Mesbah is the founder of Haghani School of thought in Iran. He and his team strongly supported President Ahmadinejad's campaign during presidential election in 2005.

Personal life and service

Born in the village of Arādān near Garmsar, the son of a blacksmith, his family moved to Tehran when he was one year old. He entered Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST) as an undergraduate student of civil engineering in 1976. He continued his studies in the same university, entering the Master of Science program for civil engineering in 1986, the same time he joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (see below), and finally received his Ph.D in traffic and transportation engineering and planning. The graduate program was a special program for the Revolutionary Guards members funded by the organization itself. After graduation, Ahmadinejad became a professor at the civil engineering department at IUST.

In 1979, Ahmadinejad was the head representative of IUST to the unofficial student gatherings that occasionally met with the Ayatollah Khomeini. In these sessions, the foundations of the first Office for Strengthening Unity (daftar-e tahkim-e vahdat), the student organization of which several members behind seizure of the United States embassy belonged (this would become the Iran hostage crisis), were created. Ahmadinejad became a member of the Office of Strengthening Unity. Before the seizure of the embassy, Ahmadinejad had suggested a simultaneous or similar attempt against the Soviet Union embassy, but was voted down, resulting in independent pursuit of the idea by its proponents.

During the Iran-Iraq War, Ahmadinejad joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in 1986. After training at the headquarters, he saw action in extraterritorial covert operations against Kirkuk, Iraq. Later he also became the head engineer of the sixth army of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and the head of the Corps' staff in the western provinces of Iran. After the war, he served as vice governor and governor of Maku and Khoy, an Advisor to the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, and the governor of the then newly established Ardabil province from 1993 to October 1997.

Early political career

Ahmadinejad was mostly an unknown figure in Iranian politics until he was elected Mayor of Tehran by the second City Council of Tehran on May 3, 2003, after a 12% turnout led to the election of the conservative candidates of Alliance of Builders of Islamic Iran in Tehran. During his mayorship, he reversed many of the changes put into effect by previous moderate and reformist mayors, putting serious religious emphasis on the activities of the cultural centers founded by previous mayors, going on the record with the separation of elevators for men and women in the municipality offices and suggesting that the bodies of those killed in the Iran-Iraq war be buried in major city squares of Tehran. Such actions were coupled with popular acts, such as distributing free soup to the poor.

As the Mayor of Tehran, Ahmadinejad also became the manager in charge of the daily newspaper Hamshahri, replacing Mohammad Atrianfar as the editor and replacing him with Alireza Sheikh-Attar. Ahmadinejad subsequently fired Sheikh-Attar on June 13, 2005, a few days before the presidential elections, for not supporting him for the post, replacing Sheikh-Attar with Ali Asghar Ash'ari, a previous Vice Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance during the ministership of Mostafa Mirsalim. He fired Nafiseh Kouhnavard, one of Hamshahri's journalists, for asking Khatami about the "red lines" of the regime and illegal parallel intelligence agencies, a question Ahmadinejad didn't consider appropriate. Kouhnavard was later accused by hard-liners of spying for Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Ahmadinejad is known to have quarreled with Khatami, who then barred him from attending meetings of the Board of Ministers, a privilege usually extended to mayors of Tehran. He has publicly criticized Khatami for ignorance of the daily problems of the general public.

After two years as Tehran mayor, Ahmadinejad was shortlisted in a list of sixty-five finalists for World Mayor 2005. Out of the 550 nominated mayors, only nine were from Asia.

Ahmadinejad resigned from his post as the mayor of Tehran after his election to the presidency. His resignation was accepted on June 28 2005, and in September 2005 the Tehran City Council elected Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf with 8 out of 15 votes as the 12th Mayor of Tehran.

Presidency

Ahmadinejad became the president of Iran on August 3, 2005, receiving the approval of Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, during which celebration he kissed the hand of Khamenei, the first Iranian president who has kissed Khamenei's hand and the second Iranian president to kiss a supreme leader's hand (the first was Mohammad Ali Rajai, who kissed the Ayatollah Khomeini's hand). Ahmadinejad was widely perceived at the time of his election to be Khamenei's protégé.

In the first announcement after his presidency, Ahmadinejad asked the public servants not to post his photographs and pictures in governmental offices and use the pictures and photos of Ayatollah Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei only.

Ahmadinejad completed the requisite ceremonies of becoming president on August 6, when he took vow before the Majlis to protect Iran's official religion (Shia Islam), the Islamic Republic regime, and constitution. From August 3 to August 6, Mohammad Reza Aref, Khatami's First Vice President, was Acting President.

Ahmadinejad's ministers

Ahmadinejad was required to introduce his suggested ministers to Majlis for a vote of approval in fifteen days, after which Majlis would have one week to decide about the ministers. It was mentioned by Masoud Zaribafan, Ahmadinejad's campaign manager, that Ahmadinejad would probably introduce his cabinet on the same day of his vow, which did not happen, but the list was finally sent to the Majlis on August 14. The Majlis were set to vote on the suggested ministers by August 21.

The parliament had held a private meeting on August 5, when Ahmadinejad presented a shortlist of three or four candidates for each ministry, to know the opinion of Majlis about his candidates. A news website close to Ahmadinejad published a partial list of Ahmadinejad's decisions based on the feedback, which was updated and changed a few times. The final list was officially sent to the Majlis on August 14, 2005.

After a few days of heavy discussions in Majlis, which started on August 21, 2005, Ahmadinejad's cabinet was voted for on August 24, 2005, and became the first cabinet since the Iranian revolution in not winning a complete vote of approval. Four candidates, for the ministries of Cooperatives, Education, Petroleum, and Welfare and Social Security, all previous colleagues of Ahmadinejad in the Municipality of Tehran, were voted down. The other candidates became ministers.

The list of suggested ministers and their votes went:

The new board of ministers held its first meeting on August 25 in Mashhad, promising to keep frequent meetings to cities other than the capital, Tehran. Temporary supervisors for two of the four ministries without new ministers were appointed by Ahmadinejad on August 27, Mohammad Nazemi Ardakani for the Ministry of Cooperatives and Davoud Madadi for the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security.

Reza Love Fund

Ahmadinejad's first piece of legislation to emerge from his newly formed government was a 12 trillion rial (1.3 billion American Dollars) "Reza Love Fund", which was named after one of Shiite Islam's Imams, Ali al-Rida. By tapping into Iran's huge oil revenues, Ahmadinejad's government plans to use this fund in order to help young people get jobs, get married, and afford homes. The fund also sought charitable donations, and includes boards of trustees in each of Iran's 30 provinces. The new plan is subject to the approval of the conservative-held parliament, but is seen as unlikely to encounter strong opposition given deputies in the Majlis have also shown an eagerness to focus on resolving economic problems. This piece of legislation was in response to the costly housing in urban centres which is pushing up the national average marital age, which currently is around 25 for women and 28 for men. This was the first example of Ahmadinejad's attempting to fulfill his promise of "bringing oil money to the Iranian people's plates".

Support for Iran's nuclear program

Ahmadinejad has been a vocal supporter of Iran's nuclear program. On 11 January 2006, President Ahmadinejad announced that Iran will have peaceful nuclear technology very soon. He also emphasized that making the nuclear bomb is not the policy of his government. In his words : "We would like to send the message to those who claim Iran is searching for nuclear weapons that there is no such policy and this is illegal and against our religion".

President Ahmadinejad has also invited "all countries" to participate in Iran's nuclear project.

Iranian nuclear policy is not set by the President but by Iran's Supreme National Security Council which reports directly to the Supreme Leader. The council includes representatives appointed by the supreme leader, top officials from the military and members of the executive, judicial and legistlative branches of Iran's government.

Controversies

Since his election as the president of Iran, Ahmadinejad has been a controversial figure. He has been subject to various allegations, ranging from election fraud to his alleged involvement in the Iran Hostage Crisis and assassinations of Kurdish politicians in Austria.

Foreign policy positions

Antagonism towards Israel

2005 "World Without Zionism" speech

During the "World Without Zionism" student conference in October 2005 Ahmadinejad said in a speech:

"Our dear Imam said that the occupying regime must be wiped off the map and this was a very wise statement. We cannot compromise over the issue of Palestine. Is it possible to create a new front in the heart of an old front. This would be a defeat and whoever accepts the legitimacy of this regime has in fact, signed the defeat of the Islamic world. Our dear Imam targeted the heart of the world oppressor in his struggle, meaning the occupying regime. I have no doubt that the new wave that has started in Palestine, and we witness it in the Islamic world too, will eliminate this disgraceful stain from the Islamic world. But we must be aware of tricks."

Later in the speech Ahmadinejad said that the issue with Palestine would be over "the day that all refugees return to their homes a democratic government elected by the people comes to power."

Also in the speech Ahmadinejad denounced attempts to normalize relations with Israel and condemned all Muslim leaders who accept the existence of Israel as "acknowledging a surrender and defeat of the Islamic world." Many believe this criticism was aimed at nearby nations Qatar, Bahrain, and Pakistan, which have taken steps towards improving relations with Israel.

In the speech Ahmadinejad stated that he believes Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip to be a confidence trick, designed to gain acknowledgement from Islamic states. In a rally held two days later, Ahmadinejad declared that his words reflected the views of the Iranian people, adding that Westerners are free to comment, but their reactions are invalid.

The day immediately following Ahmadinejad's statements, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called for Iran to be expelled from the United Nations and Israel's Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. In that meeting, all fifteen members condemned Ahmadinejad's remarks. Kofi Annan said he was dismayed by the comments, and reiterated Iran's obligations and Israel's right of existence under the UN Charter.

EU leaders issued a strong condemnation of the Iranian President's remarks, stating that "alls for violence, and for the destruction of any state, are manifestly inconsistent with any claim to be a mature and responsible member of the international community." On November 17, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Ahmadinejad's remarks and called on him to retract his bellicose comments in their entirety and to recognise the state of Israel and its right to live in peace and safety. Prime Minister Paul Martin of Canada also condemned the comments on several occasions. Echoing earlier remarks made on October 26, on November 14 he stated, "This threat to Israel's existence, this call for genocide coupled with Iran's obvious nuclear ambitions is a matter that the world cannot ignore." Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat stated, "What we need to be talking about is adding the state of Palestine to the map, and not wiping Israel from the map."

The White House stated that Ahmadinejad's rhetoric showed that it was correct in trying to halt Iran's nuclear program. However, Ahmadinejad has denied that his statements indicate a desire to launch a military attack on Israel. The President of Iran does not have the ability to declare war on another nation as he has no control over the nation's armed forces which are directly under the command of the Supreme Leader, who is the head of state.

In Iran, supporters of Ahmadinejad have said that there is nothing new about his statements and that the West has overreacted in order to try to smear Iran's international image.

The Iranian Ambassador to the European Union, Ali Ahani, called the tough political reactions in Europe against Ahmadinejad "unrealistic and premature," complaining about the discriminatory treatment of the international community, which Iran feels has continued to ignore the threats of Israel and its "organized campaign to provoke others into attacking Iran's facilities and infrastructure". Referring to Israel's support of an American attack on Iran. Hassan Hanizadeh, an editorialist for the Tehran Times, claimed that the criticism of Ahmadinejad's statement by the United States and other Western countries is an attempt to divert attention from "the ever-increasing crimes the Zionists are committing against the innocent Palestinians."

Former president Khatami stated "those words have created hundreds of political and economic problems for us in the world." Khatami has also recently accused Ahmadinejad and his supporters of being an Iranian "Taliban" and giving the enemies of Iran "... the best excuse to attack Islam and Iran."

At a later news conference on January 14, 2006, Ahmadinejad claimed his speech had been misinterpreted.

"There is no new policy, they created a lot of hue and cry over that. It is clear what we say: Let the Palestinians participate in free elections and they will say what they want."

Statement during 2005 Muslim Summit

On December 8 2005, Ahmadinejad gave an interview with Iran's Arabic channel 'Al-Alam' during a summit of Muslim nations in Islam's holy city of Mecca. The interview contained remarks that were widely condemned as Holocaust denial:

"Some European countries insist on saying that during World War II, Hitler burned millions of Jews and put them in concentration camps," Ahmadinejad said. "Any historian, commentator or scientist who doubts that is taken to prison or gets condemned. Although we don't accept this claim, if we suppose it is true, if the Europeans are honest they should give some of their provinces in Europe—like in Germany, Austria or other countries—to the Zionists and the Zionists can establish their state in Europe. You offer part of Europe and we will support it."

The remarks were condemned by Israeli, European and American politicians, Kofi Annan "was shocked," and Saudi, Turkish, and Iranian officials sharply criticized his speech because it "marred a Mecca summit dedicated to showing Islam's moderate face."

Shortly after President Ahmadinejad's remarks, some of his cabinet members including Interior Minister and the Spokeman for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, tried to rephrase his statements to avoid "misunderstandings".

Statements on the historicity of the Holocaust and the relocation of Israel

In a speech given on 14 December, 2005 in the city of Zahedan, and carried live on Iranian television, Ahmadinejad reportedly made the following comments:

"If the Europeans are telling the truth in their claim that they have killed six million Jews in the Holocaust during the World War II - which seems they are right in their claim because they insist on it and arrest and imprison those who oppose it, why should the Palestinian nation pay for the crime. Why have they come to the very heart of the Islamic world and are committing crimes against the dear Palestine using their bombs, rockets, missiles and sanctions. The same European countries have imposed the illegally-established Zionist regime on the oppressed nation of Palestine. If you have committed the crimes so give a piece of your land somewhere in Europe or America and Canada or Alaska to them to set up their own state there. Then the Iranian nation will have no objections, will stage no rallies on the Qods Day and will support your decision."

"They have invented a myth that Jews were massacred and place this above God, religions and the prophets. The West has given more significance to the myth of the genocide of the Jews, even more significant than God, religion, and the prophets, (it) deals very severely with those who deny this myth but does not do anything to those who deny God, religion, and the prophet. If you have burned the Jews, why don't you give a piece of Europe, the United States, Canada or Alaska to Israel. Our question is, if you have committed this huge crime, why should the innocent nation of Palestine pay for this crime?"

The remarks were condemned immediately by the Israeli government. Mark Regev, spokesman for Israel's Foreign Ministry stated:

"The combination of a regime with a radical agenda, together with a distorted sense of reality that is clearly indicated by the statements we heard today, put together with nuclear weapons -- I think that's a dangerous combination that no one in the international community can accept.

What the Iranian president has shown us today is that he is clearly outside the international consensus, he is clearly outside international norms and international legitimacy, and in so doing he has shown the Iranian government for what it is -- a rogue regime opposed to peace and stability and a threat to all its neighboring countries."

Many other foreign governments also issued condemnations, including those of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

In an interview on 14th January 2006, President Ahmadinejad said "I've just aksed two questions. But I have not received any clear answers." refering to his previous statements on Holocaust. He added "I will not make any historical argument. European scientists are in a position to answer these questions". Refering to Europeans, President Ahmadinejad added "I want them to offer a clear answer to these questions... what ever they say I would agree". In his mind, any answer to these questions, positive or negative, would be in favor of his idea on "illegitimacy of State of Israel".

Reaction to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Stroke

On January 4, 2006, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke and was widely reported to be near death. The next day Ahmadinejad spoke to Shi'a clerics in the city of Qom and told them that he hoped for the death of Prime Minister Sharon. . The United States quickly condemned Ahmadinejad's comment as "hateful and disgusting" and U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack called Ahmadinejad's remarks "part of a continuing stream of hateful invective that has come from this president."

Improving relations with Russia

Ahmadinejad has taken moves to help strengthen relations with Russia, setting up a headquarters expressly dedicated to the purpose in October 2005. He has worked with Vladimir Putin on the Iran nuclear issue and both Putin and Ahmadinejad have expressed a desire for more mutual cooperation on issues involving the Caspian Sea. However, there have been recent accusations made by Western intelligence officials that Ahmadinejad has sanctioned the training and funding of Chechen rebels, who are fighting against the local government and Russia, inside Iran.

See also

• Iran
• President of Iran
• Politics of Iran
• Haghani Circle
• Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi

Notes & references

1. http://www.hamshahri.org/hamnews/1383/830406/news/siasi.htm#s34989
2. "President invokes new Islamic wave". Times Online. June 30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
3. http://news.gooya.com/president84/archives/031426.php
4. http://entekhab.ir/display/?ID=2648
5. http://www.freebatebi.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1098623651&archive=1099862786&start_from=&ucat=&do=archives
6. "More than 87,000 took part in the World Mayor 2005 project". WorldMayor.com. December. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
7. http://roozonline.com/01newsstory/009123.shtml
8. http://www.khedmat.ir/comments.asp?id=478
9. http://president.ir/ahmadinejad/cronicnews/1384/06/02/index-f.htm#b3
10. http://roozonline.com/01newsstory/012137.shtml
11. http://roozonline.com/01newsstory/007958.shtml
12. "Iran leader linked to '79 embassy crisis". Washington Times. June 30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
13. "Title". LA Times. July 2. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
14. http://www.hasanpix.com/weblog/
15. http://sharghnewspaper.com/840414/html/iran.htm#s254667
16. http://sharghnewspaper.com/840413/html/index.htm
17. "Title". LA Times. July. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
18. "Rafsanjani involved in the murder of Dr. Ghasemlou , says an Austrian MP". PDK-Iran.org. June 3. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
19. http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L0274139.htm
20. "Title". LA Times. July 2. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
21. http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L0274139.htm
22. "U.S.: Man in photo not Ahmadinejad". Aljazeera. July 3. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
23. http://news.gooya.com/president84/archives/031422.php
24. http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/iran/story/2005/06/050619_mf_hashemi_statement.shtml
25. http://news.gooya.com/president84/archives/031420.php
26. "Text of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Speech". NY Times. October 30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
27. "Title". Reuters. October 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
28. "European Parliament rips Iran leader's remarks". Iran Focus. November 17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
29. "Iran: EU Parliament Asks President to Retract Israel Remarks". ADNKI.com. November 17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
30. "Canada joins U.S. in rebuking Iran over anti-Israel remarks". Iranian.ws. November 14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
31. "European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood policy: Statement on recent declarations by the President of Iran". EUROPA. November 16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
32. "Iranian President Lacks Moral Character". UCI New University Newspaper. December 14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
33. "Israel urges UN to exclude Iran". BBC. October 27. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
34. "Iran's ambassador to EU blasts western reaction as unrealistic". Islamic Republic News Agency. October 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
35. "Iran's Call for the Destruction of Israel". Worldpress.org. October 30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
36. "Targetted words". Al-Ahram. November 9. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
37. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4510922.stm
38. "Iran's Ahmadinejad casts doubt on Holocaust". Reuters. December 8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
39. "Update 2: Iranian President: Move Israel to Europe". Forbes.com. December 8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
40. "Reacting against Iranian leader's reported Holocaust denial, Annan points to facts". UN.org. December 8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
41. "Iran: Ahmadinejad's Holocaust Denial Sparks International Criticism". ADNKI.com. December 9. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
42. "Ahmadinejad draws ire of Saudis, Iranians, West over Israel remarks". The Daily Star. December 10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
43. "Annan shocked at Ahmadinajad casting doubt about the Holocaust". Kuwait News Agency. December 9. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
44. "Iranian leader denies Holocaust". BBC. December 14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
45. "Iranian president calls Holocaust a 'myth'". CBC News. December 14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
46. "Ahmadinejad: Special Hq to be formed for Tehran-Moscow cooperation". Islamic Republic News Agency. October 26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
47. "Teheran 'secretly trains' Chechens to fight in Russia". Telegraph. November 27. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
48. "Iran: Holocaust remarks misunderstood". CNN. December 16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
49. . Haaretz. January 7. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)

External links

• Iranian Presidents' e-mail

Election and profile

• "Iran elects new hardline leader" (BBC)
• "Victor wants 'modern Islamic' Iran" (CNN)
• "Ahmadinejad elected president of Iran" (Al-Jazeera)
• Profile: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, BBC's profile on Ahmadinejad
• Iran elections candidates: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
• Losing to Islamic Fascism: The Self-made Failure of Governmental Reformism in Iran
• Ahmadinejad's biography (in Persian)
• Ahmadinejad's campaign website (in Persian)
• اين عكس احمدى نژاد نيست, Shargh's report on Ahmadinejad's background as a student active in politics and that he was not involved in the US hostage crisis (in Persian)
• "Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Face"
• "Market Fundamentalists Lose in Iran (For Now)"
• A full list of Ahmadinejad's chosen cabinet ministers

Criticism and allegations

• "Ahmadinejad Faces Character Assassination" by Amir Taheri
• US prepares new provocations against Iran
• Karroubi's letter to Ayatollah Khamenei, alleging Ahmadinejad supporters of organized illegal activities (in Persian)
• Articles related to Ahmadinejad's involvement in the 1979 Hostage Crisis, by date (Google)
• The Mayor Who Does Not Like Criticism (in Persian), an article by Rooz on Ahmadinejad
• Ex-Hostages Say Ahmadinejad a Captor
• Iran victor 'kidnap role' probe (BBC)
• Preparing Iran for the Judgement Day (Ahmadinejad reports a green light around his person during his speech at the UN General Assembly)
• In Iran, Arming for Armageddon (Charles Krauthammer)

Information about comments on Israel and reactions

• Contrived Fury
• Iranians hold anti-Israel street protests
• Many different viewpoints on Israel comment
• New York Times Full Text Translation of Speech (October 30 2005)
• "Iranian President Hopes Sharon Perishes"

• 1956 births
• Civil engineers
• Current national leaders
• History of Iran
• Holocaust denial
• Iranian governors
• Iranian politicians
• Mayors of Tehran
• Presidents of Iran