Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Iranian politician and statesman Date of Birth: 28.10.1956 Country: Iran

1. Early Life and Education
2. Political Activism and Role in the Islamic Revolution
3. Military Service and Post-War Career
4. Mayor of Tehran
5. Presidency
6. Second Term and Challenges
7. Post-Presidency
8. Personal Life
9. Legacy

Early Life and Education

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was born on October 28, 1956, into a family of modest means in the village of Aradan, near Garmsar, Semnan Province. His father worked as a blacksmith, and his mother was regarded as a "seyida," a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad according to Shia tradition.

Ahmadinejad attended the prestigious Tehran University of Science and Technology in 1976, graduating with a degree in transportation engineering.

Political Activism and Role in the Islamic Revolution

During his student years, Ahmadinejad became actively involved in the anti-Shah movement. He was a member of the ultra-conservative "Organization for Strengthening Unity of Universities and Theological Seminaries," established by a close confidant of Ayatollah Khomeini. It has been alleged that Ahmadinejad participated in the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, but most former hostages and participants have disputed this claim.

Military Service and Post-War Career

In 1980, Ahmadinejad volunteered for the Iran-Iraq War as a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Basij). He fought in various operations in western and northern Iraq.

After his military service, Ahmadinejad embarked on a political career. He served as governor of the Ardebil province from 1993 to 1997 and returned to teaching at his alma mater upon the election of Mohammad Khatami as President.

Mayor of Tehran

In 2003, Ahmadinejad was elected mayor of Tehran. He introduced a number of conservative policies, such as banning Western fast-food restaurants and requiring male government employees to wear beards and long-sleeved shirts.

Presidency

In 2005, Ahmadinejad was elected President of Iran after winning the second round of voting. During his presidency, he implemented a major energy reform by introducing petrol rationing and accelerating Iran's nuclear program.

In foreign policy, Ahmadinejad adopted a conservative stance, criticizing the U.S. administration and advocating for closer ties with Russia and the Arab world. He also made controversial statements regarding Israel, including Holocaust denial.

Second Term and Challenges

In 2009, Ahmadinejad was re-elected for a second term. However, his presidency faced significant challenges, including alleged corruption and suppression of dissent. The 2009 presidential election was marred by widespread protests and allegations of fraud, contributing to a decline in Ahmadinejad's popularity.

Post-Presidency

Ahmadinejad completed his presidential term in 2013. He returned to his private residence and expressed his intention to retire from politics. However, he later established the YEKTA Front, a political party that participated in the 2016 elections.

In 2017, Ahmadinejad's candidacy for the presidential election was rejected. In 2018, there were unverified claims of his arrest during anti-government protests, which were later denied by his lawyer.

Personal Life

Ahmadinejad is married and has three children. His family is known for its conservative religious beliefs and support for the Iranian Revolution.

Legacy

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency was a period of significant change and controversy in Iranian politics. His policies and rhetoric polarized both domestic and international opinion, and his legacy remains a subject of debate.