The New Nation - Internet Edition

Reuters, Tehran

Mohammad Khatami, who won presidential elections in 1997 and 2001 with landslides, gave the strongest signal yet on Monday that he was considering running in this year's race for the Iranian presidency. Khatami worked for political and social change during his eight years in office but hardliners in charge of major levers of power in the Islamic Republic blocked many of his reforms, costing Khatami some key supporters, such as students. If he chooses to run, Khatami can expect to face Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who came to power in 2005 pledging a return to revolutionary principles and promising to spread Iran's oil wealth more fairly.