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99-503: Between 2005 and 2008, by decree of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad , Iran did not observe daylight saving time (DST) (called Iran Daylight Time or IRDT ). It was reintroduced from 21 March 2008. On 21 September 2022, Iran abolished DST and now observes standard time year-round. The dates of DST transitions in Iran were based on the Solar Hijri calendar , the official calendar of Iran , which

198-662: A board of trustees in each of Iran's 30 provinces. The legislation was a response to the cost of urban housing, which is pushing up the national average marital age (currently around 25 years for women and 28 years for men). In 2006 the Iranian parliament rejected the fund; however, Ahmadinejad ordered the administrative council to execute the plan. According to a report by Human Rights Watch , "Since President Ahmadinejad came to power, treatment of detainees has worsened in Evin Prison as well as in detention centers operated clandestinely by

297-521: A myth of it. (...) Countries that themselves have nuclear, chemical and biological weapons should not raise an outcry when Iran wants access to peaceful nuclear technology .’ Ahmadinejad blamed on European nations over the Palestinian problems and also called to move the State of Israel to another country: If you [Europeans] committed this big crime, then why should the oppressed Palestinian nation pay

396-640: A 50% quota for male students and 50% for female students in the university entrance exam for medicine , dentistry and pharmacy . The plan was supposed to stop the growing presence of female students in the universities. In a response to critics, Iranian minister of health and medical education, Kamran Bagheri Lankarani argued that there are not enough facilities such as dormitories for female students. Masoud Salehi, president of Zahedan University said that presence of women generates some problems with transportation. Also, Ebrahim Mekaniki, president of Babol University of Medical Sciences , stated that an increase in

495-520: A Holocaust conference at Sharif University of Technology in Tehran on 27 January 2009, Ahmadinejad stated: For 60 years they allowed no one to question and cast doubt on the logic of the Holocaust and its very essence – because if the truth were to be exposed, nothing would remain of their logic of liberal democracy. It is the very advocates of liberal democracy who defend the Holocaust, who have sanctified it to

594-512: A candidate in the 2024 Iranian presidential election , but was subsequently rejected. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was born on 28 October 1956 near Garmsar , in the village of Aradan , in Semnan province . His mother, Khanom, was a Sayyida , an honorific title given to those believed to be direct bloodline descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad . His father, Ahmad, was a Persian grocer and barber, and

693-510: A continuing stream of hateful invective that has come from this president." On 15 July 2006, Ahmadinejad compared the actions of Israel in launching an offensive against Lebanon to that of Nazi Germany. " Hitler sought pretexts to attack other nations," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying by the ISNA students news agency at the inauguration of a Tehran road tunnel. "The Zionist regime is seeking baseless pretexts to invade Islamic countries and right now it

792-555: A gradual increase of petrol prices, saying that after making necessary preparations, such as a development of public transportation system, the government would free up petrol prices after five years. Interest rates were cut by presidential decree to below the inflation rate. One unintended effect of this stimulation of the economy has been the bidding up of some urban real estate prices by two or three times their pre-Ahmadinejad value by Iranians seeking to invest surplus cash and finding few other safe opportunities. The resulting increase in

891-452: A legal problem after he sacked four ministers. Iran's constitution (Article 136) stipulates that, if more than half of its members are replaced, the cabinet may not meet or act before the Majlis approves the revised membership. The vice chairman of the Majlis announced that no cabinet meetings or decisions would be legal, pending such a re-approval. On 4 September 2009, the Majlis approved 18 of

990-446: A massive haemorrhagic stroke and was reported to be dead or near death. The next day Ahmadinejad told Shi'a clerics in Qom : Hopefully, the news that the criminal of Sabra and Shatila has joined his ancestors is final. The United States condemned Ahmadinejad's comment as "hateful and disgusting" and U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack called Ahmadinejad's remarks "part of

1089-596: A member of the Central Council of the Islamic Society of Engineers , but his key political support is inside the Alliance of Builders of Islamic Iran ( Abadgaran or Developers ). He was also helped by support from supreme leader Ali Khamenei , of whom some described Ahmadinejad as a protégé. Ahmadinejad was largely non-committal about his plans for his presidency, perhaps to attract both religious conservatives and

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1188-532: A member or an official member of the Revolutionary Guards", having been a Basiji -like volunteer instead. Ahmadinejad was accepted to a Master of Science program at his alma mater in 1986. He joined the faculty there as a lecturer in 1989, and in 1997 received his doctorate in civil engineering and traffic transportation planning. After the Islamic Revolution , Ahmadinejad became a member of

1287-673: A mythical claim," that the Western powers "launched the myth of the Holocaust . They lied, they put on a show and then they support the Jews" – what the New York Times considered "among his harshest statements on the topic," and one immediately condemned by the U.S., UK, French and German governments. In 2005, the U.S. Senate unanimously agreed to a resolution condemning Ahmadinejad's "harmful, destructive, and anti-Semitic statements." The Iranian government responded that "the Western media empire

1386-564: A poor background, he was ideologically shaped by thinkers such as Navvab Safavi , Jalal Al-e-Ahmad , and Ahmad Fardid . After the Iranian Revolution , Ahmadinejad joined the Office for Strengthening Unity . Appointed a provincial governor in 1993, he was replaced along with all other provincial governors in 1997 after the election of President Mohammad Khatami and returned to teaching. Tehran 's council elected him mayor in 2003. He took

1485-538: A protest during a speech of his at the Amirkabir University of Technology in Tehran, although speakers at other protests have included among their complaints that there had been a crackdown on dissent at universities since Ahmadinejad was elected. In April 2007, the Tehran police, which is under Khamenei's supervision, began a crackdown on women with "improper hijab ". This led to criticism from associates of Ahmadinejad. In 2012, Ahmadinejad claimed that AIDS

1584-451: A religious hard line, reversing reforms of previous moderate mayors. His 2005 presidential campaign, supported by the Alliance of Builders of Islamic Iran , garnered 62% of the runoff election votes, and he became president on 3 August 2005. During his presidency, Ahmadinejad was a controversial figure both in Iran and worldwide. He was criticized domestically for his economic policies, and

1683-693: A second term in 2009 was widely disputed, and led to widespread protests domestically and criticism from Western countries. During his second term, Ahmadinejad experienced a power struggle with reformers and other traditionalists in Parliament and the Revolutionary Guard , as well as with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei , over his dismissal of intelligence minister Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i and his support for his controversial close adviser, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei . On 14 March 2012, Ahmadinejad became

1782-479: A senior cleric from Qom , as his ideological and spiritual mentor. Mesbah founded the Haghani School of thought in Iran. He and his team strongly supported Ahmadinejad's 2005 presidential campaign. Ahmadinejad won 62% of the vote in the run-off poll against Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani . Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei authorized his presidency on 3 August 2005. Ahmadinejad kissed Khamenei's hand during

1881-520: A third term in the 2017 presidential election , against the objections of Supreme Leader Khamenei. His nomination was rejected by the Guardian Council . During the 2017–18 Iranian protests , Ahmadinejad criticized the current government of Iran. He made a second attempt at registering to run for the 2021 presidential election , and was rejected again by the Guardian Council. He registered as

1980-414: A time when Iran was struggling with surging inflation and rising unemployment, estimated at 11%. Ahmadinejad's call was reminiscent of a call for Iranians to have more children made by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979. The policy had increased Iran's population by 16 million in seven years but had eventually been reversed in response to the resultant economic strain. In 2008, the government sent

2079-419: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ( Persian : محمود احمدی‌نژاد , romanized :  Mahmūd Ahmadīnežād , pronounced [mæhmuːd(e) æhmædiːneʒɒːd] ; born Mahmoud Sabbaghian [ محمود صباغیان , Mahmūd Sabbāghiyān ] on 28 October 1956) is an Iranian principlist and nationalist politician who served as

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2178-466: Is a fabricated government". However, the full, unedited interview was shown on C-SPAN afterwards, where it was shown that 60 Minutes had cut out Ahmadinejad's peaceful statements that "the solution is democracy," and that Iran wants a "durable peace," and for "the war to come an end" (referring to the Israel-Palestine Conflict ). C-SPAN posted a video online of both the edited interview and

2277-451: Is deeply disastrous to witness that some presidential nominees have to visit these people [Zionists], take part in their gatherings and swear their allegiance and commitment to their interests in order to win financial or media support. These nations are spending their dignity and resources on the crimes and threats of the Zionist network against their will.”Ahmadinejad stated the "Zionist regime"

2376-450: Is in turn based on the March equinox ( Nowruz ) as determined by astronomical calculation at the meridian for Iran Standard Time (52.5°E or GMT+3.5h). This resulted in the unique situation wherein the dates of DST transitions didn't fall on the same weekday each year as they do in most other countries. DST started in Iran at 24:00 on 1 Farvardin , which corresponds to either 20 or 21 March in

2475-465: Is it that researchers are jailed? Why is researching this issue prohibited? Whereas we can openly question God, the prophet, concepts such as freedom and democracy? And the third question that I raised in this regard: assuming that this happened, where did it happen? Did the Palestinian people have anything to do with it? Why should the Palestinians pay for it now? Five million displaced Palestinian people

2574-470: Is justifying its attacks with groundless excuses," he added. On 3 August 2006, in a speech during an emergency meeting of Muslim leaders, Ahmadinejad called for "the elimination of the Zionist regime," which was widely interpreted as another threat to destroy Israel. In 2006 Ahmadinejad appeared in an edited interview with CBS ' 60 Minutes ' Mike Wallace where Ahmadinejad stated "the Israeli government

2673-485: 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." He defended Iran's nuclear program and accused "a few arrogant powers" of trying to limit Iran's industrial and technological development in this and other fields. In his second-round campaign, he said, "We didn't participate in

2772-484: Is trying to portray Iran as an anti-Semitic country". In addition, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that "Jews are respected by everyone, by all human beings ... some people think if they accuse me of being anti-Jew they can solve the problem. No, I am not anti-Jew  ... I respect them very much ... We love everyone in the world – Jews, Christians, Muslims, non-Muslims, non-Jews, non-Christians". On 4 January 2006, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered

2871-406: Is what I'm talking about. Over 60 years of living under terror. Losing the lives of thousands of dear ones. And homes that are destroyed on a daily basis over people's heads. You might argue that the Jews have the right to have a government. We're not against that. But where? At a place where their people were – several people will vote for them, and where they can govern. On 11 December 2006, at

2970-761: The Gregorian calendar , depending on the precise timing of the equinox. (This is equivalent to 00:00 on 2 Farvardin, either 21 or 22 March.) Clocks moved forward at that time to 01:00 on 2 Farvardin (21 or 22 March). This spring change took place at the end of the day of Nowruz , which is the Iranian New Year's Day and the most important festival in Iranian culture. DST likewise ended in Iran at 24:00 on 30 Shahrivar , which corresponds to either 20 or 21 September. (Equivalently, at 00:00 on 31 Shahrivar, either 21 or 22 September). Clocks moved backward to 23:00 on 30 Shahrivar (20 or 21 September). This Iran -related article

3069-610: The International Conference to Review the Global Vision of the Holocaust , a gathering of Holocaust deniers in Tehran, Ahmadinejad said: "Thanks to people's wishes and God's will the trend for the existence of the Zionist regime is [headed] downwards and this is what God has promised and what all nations want. The Zionist regime will be wiped out soon the same way the Soviet Union was, and humanity will achieve freedom." At

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3168-510: The International Conference to Review the Global Vision of the Holocaust ," a gathering of Holocaust deniers in Tehran, Ahmadinejad said: "Thanks to people's wishes and God's will the trend for the existence of the Zionist regime is [headed] downwards and this is what God has promised and what all nations want. The Zionist regime will be wiped out soon the same way the Soviet Union was, and humanity will achieve freedom." On Israel's 60th birthday, Ahmadinejad said: Those who think they can revive

3267-522: The Office for Strengthening Unity , an organization developed to prevent students from sympathizing or allying with the emerging militant Mojahedin-e Khalq organisation. Ahmadinejad first assumed political office as unelected governor to both Maku and Khoy in West Azarbaijan Province during the 1980s. He eventually became an advisor to the governor general of Kurdistan Province for two years. During his doctoral studies at Tehran, he

3366-734: The United States , Canada , the European Union , and the United Nations . In an interview on Iran's Arabic channel ' Al-Alam ' on 8 December 2005, Ahmadinejad said that if Germany and Austria feel responsible for the massacre of Jews during World War II , they should host a state of Israel on their own soil. Speaking at a news conference on the summit sidelines, Ahmadinejad said most Jews in Israel " have no roots in Palestine , but they are holding

3465-834: The World Jewish Congress , complained to the United Nations and the Italian government about Ahmadinejad's presence at the conference, stating that "It is deplorable that a leader like him, who is failing both his own people and the international community, is allowed to hijack the agenda of this important FAO conference." In an address to the United Nations General Assembly on 23 September 2008, Ahmadinejad stated that Zionists are criminals and murderers, are "acquisitive" and "deceitful", and dominate global finance despite their "minuscule" number. He further stated that "It

3564-532: The parliament for his selection of ministers. Ahmadinejad presented a short-list at a private meeting on 5 August, and his final list on 14 August. The Majlis rejected all of his cabinet candidates for the oil portfolio and objected to the appointment of his allies in senior government office. The Majlis approved a cabinet on 24 August. The ministers promised to meet frequently outside Tehran and held their first meeting on 25 August in Mashhad , with four empty seats for

3663-715: The "Family Protection Bill" to the Iranian parliament. Women's rights activists criticized the bill for removing protections from women, such as the requirement that a husband obtain his wife's consent before marrying a second wife . Women's rights in Iran are more religiously based than those in secular countries. The first legislation to emerge from his newly formed government was a 12 trillion rial ( US$ 1.3 billion) fund called "Reza's Compassion Fund" , named after Shi'a Imam Ali al-Rida . Ahmadinejad's government said this fund would tap Iran's oil revenues to help young people get jobs, afford marriage, and buy their own homes. The fund also sought charitable donations, with

3762-682: The 21 cabinet candidates, and rejected three, including two women. Sousan Keshavarz , Mohammad Aliabadi , and Fatemeh Ajorlou were not approved by Majlis for the Ministries of Education, Energy, and Welfare and Social Security, respectively. Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi was the first woman approved by the Majlis as a minister in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ahmadinejad suffered a defeat in March/May 2012 parliamentary elections with Ayatollah Khamenei's "Principalist" allies winning about three quarters of

3861-734: 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." Saudi , Turkish and Iranian officials criticized Ahmadinejad's speech because it "marred a Mecca summit dedicated to showing Islam's moderate face". On 11 December 2006, at

3960-456: The Global Vision of the Holocaust , which they saw as promoting Holocaust denial . In response to the students' slogans, the president said: "We have been standing up to dictatorship so that no one will dare to establish dictatorship in a millennium even in the name of freedom. Given the scars inflicted on the Iranian nation by agents of the US and British dictatorship, no one will ever dare to initiate

4059-765: The High Labor Council and the Ministry of Labor that proposed an increase of workers' salaries by 40%. Ahmadinejad publicly responded harshly to the letter and denounced the accusations. Ahmadinejad called for "middle-of-the-road" compromises with respect to Western-oriented capitalism and socialism . Current political conflicts with the United States caused the central bank to fear increased capital flight due to global isolation . These factors prevented an improvement of infrastructure and capital influx, despite high economic potential. Among those that did not vote for him in

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4158-488: The Holocaust were criticized by cleric Mehdi Karroubi . In August 2006, Deutsche Welle , citing AFP , reported that Ahmadinejad had written a letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel suggesting that the victorious Allied powers in World War II may have invented the Holocaust to embarrass Germany. "Is it not a reasonable possibility that some countries that had won the war made up this excuse to constantly embarrass

4257-484: The Jewish people. In the second World War, over 60 million people lost their lives. They were all human beings. Why is it that only a select group of those who were killed have become so prominent and important? Do you think that the 60 million who lost their lives were all at the result of warfare alone? There were two million that were part of the military at the time, perhaps altogether, 50 million civilians with no roles in

4356-528: The Judiciary, accountable to Ali Khamenei , and from members directly appointed by Ahmadinejad. Responses to dissent have varied. Human Rights Watch writes that "the Ahmadinejad government, in a pronounced shift from the policy under former president Mohammed Khatami, has shown no tolerance for peaceful protests and gatherings." In December 2006, Ahmadinejad advised officials not to disturb students who engaged in

4455-536: The Judiciary, the Ministry of Information, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps." Human Rights Watch also has stated, "Respect for basic human rights in Iran, especially freedom of expression and assembly, deteriorated in 2006. The government routinely tortures and mistreats detained dissidents, including through prolonged solitary confinement." Human Rights Watch described the source of human rights violations in contemporary Iran as coming from

4554-661: The Mayor of Tehran was accepted on 28 June 2005. After two years as mayor, Ahmadinejad was one of 65 finalists for World Mayor in 2005, selected from 550 nominees, only nine of them from Asia. He was among three strong candidates for the top-ten list, but his resignation made him ineligible. Ahmadinejad was not particularly well known when he entered the presidential election campaign as he had never run for office before, (he had been mayor of Tehran for only two years and had been appointed, not elected), although he had already made his mark in Tehran for rolling back earlier reforms. He was/is

4653-568: The Oil Ministry. In October 2006, Ahmadinejad began calling for the scrapping of Iran's existing birth-control policies which discouraged Iranian couples from having more than two children. He told MPs that Iran could cope with 50 million more people than the current 70 million. In November 2010, he urged Iranians to marry and reproduce earlier: "We should take the age of marriage for boys to 20 and for girls to about 16 and 17." His remarks have drawn criticism and been called ill-judged at

4752-440: The Palestinian people or other nations should not pay the price (for it). The head of Iran's Jewish community , Haroun Yashayaei, sent a letter to Ahmadinejad in early 2006 that read: "How is it possible to ignore all of the undeniable evidence existing for the exile and massacre of the Jews in Europe during World War Two? Challenging one of the most obvious and saddening events of 20th-century humanity has created astonishment among

4851-418: The Palestinians, we defend the rights of Islamic Iran. We are part of a united front against the enemies of Islam." Iran's Interior Minister Pourmohammadi said: Actually the case has been misunderstood. (Ahmadinejad) did not mean to raise this matter. [He] wanted to say that if others harmed the Jewish community and created problems for the Jewish community, they have to pay the price themselves. People like

4950-786: The Syrian people" and also that "Iran and Syria's blatant disregard for basic human rights is the real insult to humanity." Vietor condemned "the latest series of offensive and reprehensible comments by senior Iranian officials that are aimed at Israel" as "hateful and divisive rhetoric." On 7 September 2012, Canada announced it has closed its embassy in Iran and ordered all Iranian diplomats out of Canada within 5 days, due in part to Iran's repeated threats towards Israel and "racist, Anti-Semitic rhetoric". On 2 August 2013, while Iranians were commemorating al-Quds Day and his last day in office, Ahmadinejad warned of an impending regional storm that would uproot Israel. He also said that Israel "has no place in

5049-467: The Zionist network, which came up with the issue of the Holocaust, must be exposed, and be presented to the peoples as it really is. In early June 2009, Ahmadinejad described Israel as "the most criminal regime in human history" and spoke about the "great deception of the Holocaust" in a speech quoted by IRIB. At the September 2009 Quds Day ceremonies in Tehran, he stated Israel was created on "a lie and

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5148-473: The Zionist regime from death. Ahmadinejad also stated that They should know that regional nations hate this fake and criminal regime and if the smallest and briefest chance is given to regional nations they will destroy (it). In his address to the 2008 United Nations General Assembly, Ahmadinejad said that today the Zionist regime is on a definite slope to collapse. In July 2012, ahead of Qods Day , Ahmadinejad said that "any freedom lover and justice seeker in

5247-423: The Zionist regime is an insult to humanity" and that "the Zionist regime and the Zionists are a cancerous tumor. Even if one cell of them is left in one inch of (Palestinian) land, in the future this story (of Israel's existence) will repeat." Ahmadinejad also said that "the nations of the region will soon finish off the usurper Zionists in the Palestinian land". Ahmadinejad added that "it is dangerous if even 10% of

5346-490: The activities of cultural centres they had founded, publicised the separation of elevators for men and women in the municipality offices, and suggested that people killed in the Iran–Iraq War be buried in major city squares of Tehran. He also worked to improve the traffic system and put an emphasis on charity , such as distributing free soup to the poor. After his election to the presidency, Ahmadinejad's resignation as

5445-488: The ceremony to show his loyalty. Shortly after Ahmadinejad was elected president, some Western media outlets published claims that he was among the students who stormed the US embassy in Tehran , sparking the Iran hostage crisis . This claim has been denied by the Iranian government, the Iranian opposition, as well as an American investigation by the CIA. Iran's president is constitutionally obliged to obtain confirmation from

5544-399: The comments underline the need to "keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons". A European Commission spokeswoman called the comments "completely unacceptable". Khaled Meshaal , the leader of the Palestinian militant and political party Hamas , supported Ahmadinejad's stance towards Israel calling Ahmadinejad's remarks "courageous". He has said that "Just as Islamic Iran defends the rights of

5643-494: The cost of housing hurt poorer, non-property owning Iranians, the putative beneficiaries of Ahmadinejad's populist policies. The Management and Planning Organisation, a state body charged with mapping out long-term economic and budget strategy, was broken up and its experienced managers were fired. In June 2006, 50 Iranian economists wrote a letter to Ahmadinejad that criticized his price interventions to stabilize prices of goods, cement, government services, and his decree issued by

5742-609: The day before to denounce the increased pressure on the reformist groups at the university. One week prior, more than two thousand students protested at Tehran University on the country's annual student day, with speakers saying that there had been a crackdown on dissent at universities since Ahmadinejad was elected. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Israel Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was President of Iran from 3 August 2005 to 3 August 2013, and during that time had repeatedly made contentious speeches and statements against Israel . Ahmadinejad refused to call Israel by name, instead calling it

5841-489: The day of the inauguration ceremony. On inauguration day, hundreds of riot police met opposition protesters outside parliament. After taking the oath of office, which was broadcast live on Iranian state television , Ahmadinejad said that he would "protect the official faith, the system of the Islamic revolution and the constitution." France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States announced that they would not send

5940-412: The defeated people ... to bar their progress," Ahmadinejad reportedly wrote in the letter. Merkel indicated that she would not formally respond to the letter, saying it contained "totally unacceptable" criticism of Israel and the Jewish state's right to exist . On 3 August 2006, in a speech during an emergency meeting of Muslim leaders, Ahmadinejad called for "the elimination of the Zionist regime," which

6039-410: The destiny of Palestine in their hands and allow themselves to kill the Palestinian people." "Some European countries insist on saying that during World War II , Hitler burned millions of Jews and put them in concentration camps . 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

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6138-566: The excess funds to charity and poor people. In 1976, Ahmadinejad took Iran's national university entrance examination. According to his autobiography, he was ranked 132nd out of 400,000 participants that year, and soon enrolled in the Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), located at Tehran, as an undergraduate student of civil engineering. He would later earn his doctorate in 1997 in transportation engineering and planning from Iran University of Science and Technology as well, when he

6237-711: The first election, only 3.5% said they would consider voting for him in the next election. Mohammad Khoshchehreh , a member of the Iranian parliament that campaigned for Ahmadinejad, said that his government "has been strong on populist slogans, but weak on achievement." President Ahmadinejad changed almost all of his economic ministers, including oil, industry and economy, since coming to power in 2005. In an interview with Fars News Agency in April 2008, Davoud Danesh Jaafari who acted as minister of economy in Ahmadinejad's cabinet, harshly criticized his economic policy: "During my time, there

6336-495: The first president of the Islamic Republic of Iran to be summoned by the Islamic Consultative Assembly (parliament) to answer questions regarding his presidency. Limited to two terms under the current Iranian constitution , Ahmadinejad supported Mashaei's campaign for president. In 2013, Hassan Rouhani was elected as Ahmadinejad's successor. On 12 April 2017, Ahmadinejad announced that he intended to run for

6435-462: The full interview. At the United Nations summit on global food security in June 2008, Ahmadinejad stated: "People like my comments, because people will save themselves from the imposition of the Zionists. European peoples have suffered the greatest damage from Zionists and today the costs of this false regime, be they political or economic costs, are on Europe's shoulders." Ronald S. Lauder, president of

6534-500: The highest budget deficit since the Iranian revolution. During his presidency, Ahmadinejad launched a gasoline rationing plan to reduce the country's fuel consumption. He also instituted cuts in the interest rates that private and public banking facilities could charge. He issued a directive that the Management and Planning Organization be affiliated to the government. In May 2011, Ahmadinejad announced that he would temporarily run

6633-455: The lower economic classes. His campaign slogan was: "It's possible and we can do it". In the campaign, he took a populist approach. He emphasized his own modest life, and compared himself with Mohammad Ali Rajai , Iran's second president. Ahmadinejad said he planned to create an "exemplary government for the people of the world" in Iran. He was a " principlist ", acting politically based on Islamic and revolutionary principles. One of his goals

6732-528: The office of President. Several Iranian political figures appeared to avoid the ceremony. Former presidents Mohammad Khatami , and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani , who was then head of the Expediency Discernment Council , along with opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, did not attend the ceremony. Opposition groups asked protesters on reformist websites and blogs to launch new street demonstrations on

6831-524: The outrageous and hateful remarks threatening Israel's existence by the Supreme Leader and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran." Ashton added that "Israel's right to exist must not be called into question." United States National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said that if Iran was concerned about human rights, "It should stop supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad's brutal assault on

6930-463: The parliaments 290 seats, and Ahmadinejad supporters far fewer. In Ahmadinejad's first four years as president, Iran's real GDP reflected growth of the economy. Inflation and unemployment also decreased under Ahmadinejad due to better economic management and ending the unsustainable spending and borrowing patterns of previous administrations . Ahmadinejad increased spending by 25% and supported subsidies for food and petrol . He also initially refused

7029-582: The past and concluded that we need to support... moderate figures." An Iranian political analyst said that "this is a blow for Ahmadinejad and Mesbah Yazdi's list." On 23 August 2008, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei announced that he "sees Ahmadinejad as president in the next five years," a comment interpreted as indicating support for Ahmadinejad's reelection. 39,165,191 ballots were cast in the election on 12 June 2009, according to Iran's election headquarters. Ahmadinejad won 24,527,516 votes, (62.63%). In second place, Mir-Hossein Mousavi , won 13,216,411 (33.75%) of

7128-418: The people of the world and spread fear and anxiety among the small Jewish community of Iran." In February 2006, Mohammad Khatami called the Holocaust a "historic fact". Khamenei's main advisor in foreign policy, Ali Akbar Velayati , refused to take part in the Holocaust conference. In February 2007, he said that the Holocaust was a genocide and a historical reality. In 2008, Ahmadinejad's statements on

7227-511: The point where none may enter. Breaking the padlock of the Holocaust and reexamining it will be tantamount to cutting the vital arteries of the Zionist regime. It will destroy the philosophical foundation and raison d'être of this regime...I invite the dear researchers, intellectuals, young people and students, who are the trailblazers, to reexamine not only the Holocaust, but also its consequences and aftermath and inform others of their studies and research. Let us not forget that more than ever before,

7326-423: The presence of women will make it difficult to distribute facilities in a suitable manner. Bagher Larijani, the president of Tehran University of Medical Sciences made similar remarks. According to Rooz Online , the quotas lack a legal foundation and are justified as support for "family" and "religion". In December 2006, it was reported that some students were angry about the International Conference to Review

7425-454: The previous surname was "Sabbaghian" ( Persian : صباغیان ). Ahmadinejad is a composite name: Ahmadi Nejad. Ahmad was his father's name. The suffix Nejad in Persian means race, therefore the term Ahmadi Nejad means "the lineage of Ahmad". According to the interviews with the relatives of Ahmadi Nejad, his father who works in a small shop, sold his house in Tehran and bought a smaller house, giving

7524-561: The price? This is our proposal: give a part of your own land in Europe, the US, Canada or Alaska to them so that the Jews can establish their country. Israel, the U.S., the European Commission and several European countries reacted with shock and indignation. Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Mark Regev said that the Iranian regime holds a "perverse vision of the world". Germany's foreign minister called Ahmadinejad's remarks "shocking and unacceptable". The White House spokesman said that

7623-414: The region and in the world" and that "liberating Palestine" would solve all of the world's problems. Ahmadinejad also made allegations that Zionists control the world's media and financial systems, and that a "horrible Zionist current" had been managing world affairs for "about 400 years." In August 2012, at an annual protest against the existence of Israel, Ahmadinejad said that "the very existence of

7722-491: The region." On 14 December 2005, in Zahedan, Iran, Ahmadinejad said: 'People in Palestine are getting killed every day by the new rulers of Palestine. As a consequence of the Holocaust , the Europeans took land from the Palestinians for a Jewish state . I don't care whether the Holocaust took place or not, but it is illogical to give a piece of Palestine for compensation. Some people make an awful fuss about that Holocaust, make

7821-480: The revolution for turn-by-turn government. ... This revolution tries to reach a world-wide government." He spoke of an extended program using trade to improve foreign relations, and 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." Ahmadinejad described Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi ,

7920-452: The rise of a dictator." It was reported that even though the protesters broke the TV cameras and threw hand-made bombs at Ahmadinejad, the president asked the officials not to question or disturb the protesters. In his blog, Ahmadinejad described his reaction to the incident as "a feeling of joy" because of the freedom that people enjoyed after the revolution. One thousand students also protested

8019-451: The sixth president of Iran from 2005 to 2013. He is currently a member of the Expediency Discernment Council . He was known for his hardline views and nuclearisation of Iran. He was also the main political leader of the Alliance of Builders of Islamic Iran , a coalition of conservative political groups in the country, and served as mayor of Tehran from 2003 to 2005, reversing many of his predecessor's reforms. An engineer and teacher from

8118-430: The solution to Iran's economic problem is "the culture of martyrdom". In May 2008, the petroleum minister of Iran admitted that the government illegally invested 2 billion dollars to import petrol in 2007. At Iranian parliament, he also mentioned that he simply followed the president's order. While his government had 275 thousand billion toman oil income, the highest in Iranian history, Ahmadinejad's government had

8217-509: The stinking corpse of the usurping and fake Israeli regime by throwing a birthday party are seriously mistaken. Today the reason for the Zionist regime's existence is questioned, and this regime is on its way to annihilation." Ahmadinejad also stated that Israel has reached the end like a dead rat after being slapped by the Lebanese. Later, he said: The Zionist regime is dying, and The criminals imagine that by holding celebrations (...) they can save

8316-576: The territory is given to the Zionists." Ahmadinejad also said, "The western powers cannot tolerate criticism of the Zionist regime. They feel compelled to defend it." United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned Ahmadinejad's remarks, as well as remarks by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei , which he called "offensive and inflammatory statements." Ban said that the region's leaders should "use their voices at this time to lower, rather than to escalate, tensions." EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said that she "strongly condemns

8415-570: The unapproved nominees. Ahmadinejad's team lost the 2006 city council elections. In the first nationwide election since Ahmadinejad became president, his allies failed to dominate election returns for the Assembly of Experts and local councils. Results, with a turnout of about 60%, suggested a voter shift toward more moderate policies. According to an editorial in the Kargozaran independent daily newspaper , "The results show that voters have learned from

8514-467: The usual letters of congratulation. Ahmadinejad announced controversial ministerial appointments for his second term. Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei was briefly appointed as first vice president, but opposed by a number of Majlis members and by the intelligence minister, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i . Mashaei followed orders to resign. Ahmadinejad then appointed Mashaei as chief of staff, and fired Mohseni-Eje'i. On 26 July 2009, Ahmadinejad's government faced

8613-412: The votes. The election results remained in dispute with both Mousavi and Ahmadinejad and their respective supporters who believe that electoral fraud occurred during the election. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei formally endorsed Ahmadinejad as president on 3 August 2009, and Ahmadinejad was sworn in for a second term on 5 August 2009. Iran's Constitution stipulates term limits of two terms for

8712-540: The war – Christians, Muslims. They were all killed. The second and more important question that I raised was, if this event happened, and if it is a historical event, then we should allow everyone to research it and study it. The more research and studies are done, the clearer the issue gets. We still leave open to further studies absolute knowledge of science or math. Historical events are always subject to revisions, and reviews and studies. We're still revising our thoughts about what happened over thousands of years ago. Why

8811-497: The world must do its best for the annihilation of the Zionist regime in order to pave the path for the establishment of justice and freedom in the world," and that the ultimate objective of world forces must be the annihilation of the "Zionist regime". Ahmadinejad added that "the Zionist regime is both the symbol of the hegemony of the Zionism over the world and the means in the hand of the oppressor powers for expansion of their hegemony in

8910-521: The “Zionist regime”. He has called for the "elimination of the Zionist regime". Ahmadinejad took part in a protest called "The World Without Zionism " and has derided Israel on numerous occasions. He has urged regional powers to cut diplomatic and economic ties with Israel and halt oil sales. Tensions have risen over Iran's nuclear program. He has also provided funding, training and arms to Hezbollah and Hamas . Ahmadinejad's remarks have been criticized by various world bodies and governments, including

9009-503: Was "putting the petroleum income on people's tables", meaning Iran's oil profits would be distributed among the poor. Ahmadinejad was the only presidential candidate who spoke out against future relations with the United States. He told Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting the United Nations was "one-sided, stacked against the world of Islam." He opposed the veto power of the UN Security Council 's five permanent members: "It

9108-552: Was a religious Shia Muslim who taught the Quran . When Mahmoud was one year old, his family moved to Tehran . Mahmoud's father changed their family name from "Saborjhian" or "Sabaghian" to Ahmadinejad in 1960 to avoid discrimination when the family moved to the city. Sabor is Persian for thread painter, a once common occupation within the Semnan carpet industry. Ahmadinejad's uncle and his brother Davoud Ahmadinejad have confirmed that

9207-575: Was accused of disregard for human rights by organizations in North America and Europe. Outside of Iran, he was criticized for his hostility towards countries including Israel , Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States and other Western and Arab states. In 2007, Ahmadinejad introduced a gasoline rationing plan to reduce the country's fuel consumption and cut the interest rates that private and public banking facilities could charge. He supports Iran's nuclear program . His election to

9306-517: Was appointed governor general of newly formed Ardabil Province from 1993 until Mohammad Khatami removed him in 1997, whereupon he returned to teaching. The 2003 mayoral race in Tehran elected conservative candidates from the Alliance of Builders of Islamic Iran to the City Council of Tehran . The Council appointed Ahmadinejad mayor . As mayor, he reversed changes made by previous moderate and reformist mayors. He put religious emphasis on

9405-743: Was created by the West in order to weaken poorer countries, and repeated a previous claim that homosexual Iranians did not exist. He has also described homosexuality as "ugly". In 2006, the Ahmadinejad government reportedly forced numerous Iranian scientists and university professors to resign or to retire. It has been referred to as the " second cultural revolution ". The policy has been said to replace old professors with younger ones. Some university professors received letters indicating their early retirement unexpectedly. In November 2006, 53 university professors had to retire from Iran University of Science and Technology . In 2006, Ahmadinejad's government applied

9504-423: Was no positive attitude towards previous experiences or experienced people and there was no plan for the future. Peripheral issues which were not of dire importance to the nation were given priority. Most of the scientific economic concepts like the effect of liquidity on inflation were put in question." In response to these criticisms, Ahmadinejad accused his minister of not being "a man of justice" and declared that

9603-485: Was on the path to collapse and that the "underhanded actions of the Zionists" as among the causes of the recent unrest in the former Soviet republic of Georgia . In a subsequent interview with the Los Angeles Times , Ahmadinejad stated that "The [Zionist] regime resembles an airplane that has lost its engine and is kind of going down. And no one can help it," he said. "This will benefit everyone". Ahmadinejad's speech

9702-605: Was the mayor of Ardabil Province , located at the north-west of the country. Some details of Ahmadinejad's life during the 1980s are not publicly known, but it is known that he held a number of administrative posts in the province of West Azerbaijan , Iran . Many reports say that after Saddam Hussein ordered the invasion of Iran, Ahmadinejad joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and served in their intelligence and security apparatus, but his advisor Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi has said: "He has never been

9801-455: Was widely interpreted as another threat to destroy Israel. In a September 2006 interview with NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams , Ahmadinejad said that when he called the Holocaust a myth he was merely trying to communicate that it was not just Jews that died, but millions of people and he wants to know why it is the Palestinian people who allegedly have to pay for the Nazis' slaughter of

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