Iran’s ex-president not to run for presidential race

Xinhua) -- Former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami said he will not partake in the coming presidential elections slated for June 14.

Khatami said that the time is not ripe for him to run for the presidential race, Tehran Times daily reported on Thursday.

"An election in which everything goes normal, there is a way to come to power and its criterion is the vote of the people. But we are in a situation where the election mechanism (in Iran) is flawed in this respect," Khatami was quoted as saying.

"There are people standing against us who prefer another trend, and if someone criticizes that trend and mull over a better path for the society and the country, they do not allow him to have a presence," Khatami said, reiterating the hardline conservatives gripping on power in Iran.

He noted that the doors are closed to competent people, saying "I can name dozens of people who are young, wise and educated and are qualified to assume responsibilities in high positions, but they have been deprived of the opportunity to be introduced and known to the society."

Khatami said he would have been completely ready to stand as a possible candidate, if there is a sign of change.

Khatami expressed support for the former moderate president Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, if the latter decided to join the race.

Candidates for Iran's 11th presidential election began to register on Tuesday. So far, 192 hopefuls have registered for the presidential campaign, according to semi-official Fars news agency on Thursday.