Tehran, May 05: Iran's former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, considered by analysts to be one of the Islamic Republic's most influential politicians, has ruled out making a comeback bid for the presidency next year. Speculation has been rife in Iranian media that the head of the powerful expediency council arbitration body might be tempted to run when moderate President Mohammad Khatami's second term expires and he has to stand down in mid-2005. Speaking in the central city of Kashan yesterday, Rafsanjani confirmed reports that several political groups had approached him to be their candidate in the 2005 race.

The veteran revolutionary cleric, who has kept a foot in both Moderate and Conservative camps, served as President from 1989 to 1997 and pursued broadly progressive economic policies. But in the tide of change after Khatami's 1997 election on promises of social freedoms, many resented Rafsanjani's ties to Iran's old guard and his family's extensive business interests and he failed to win a seat in 2000 parliamentary polls.

Most analysts expect the 2005 presidential election winner to be a Moderate Conservative figure picked from a narrow field vetted by the hardline guardian council which this year barred thousands of reformist candidates from standing for Parliament.

Bureau Report