In this April, 5, 2017 file photo, former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gives a briefing in Tehran. (AP photo)TEHRAN - Iran's former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has filed to run in the country's May presidential election, contradicting a recommendation from the nation's Supreme Leader to stay out of the race. Mr Ahmadinejad previously said he wasn't going to run after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei advised him not to. But many hardliners in Iran seek a tough-talking candidate to rally around who can stand up to US President Donald Trump. Iran's moderate President Hassan Rouhani, who negotiated the nuclear deal with world powers, is expected to run for re-election.

Source: Bangkok Post April 12, 2017 08:03 UTC