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He should be assassinated.
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{{Citecheck|date=May 2007}}
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{{Infobox President
| name=Mahmoud Ahmadinejad <br/> <big>{{fa|محمود احمدی‌نژاد}}</big>
| nationality=]
| image= Mahmoud-Iran-President.jpg
| size = 130px
| order=6th ]
| term_start=], ]
| term_end=<!--], ] -->
| leader = ]
| vicepresident=]
| predecessor=]
| successor=Incumbent
| birth_date={{birth date and age|1956|10|28}}
| birth_place=]|
| party=]
| religion=]
}}
'''Mahmoud Ahmadinejad'''<ref name="transliterations">{{IPA2|mæhˈmud æhmædineˈʒɒd}}. His name transliterates into ] as {{fa|محمود احمدی‌نژاد}} ''Maḥmūd Aḥmadīnezhād'', and can be transcribed into ] as Mahmud or Mahmood, Ahmadinezhad, Ahmadi-Nejad, Ahmadi Nejad, or Ahmady Nejad.</ref> (born ], ])<ref>http://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/index/Iran2006.html</ref> is the 6th and current ] of the ] of ]. He became president on ] ] after winning the ]. Ahmadinejad's current term will end in August ], but he will be eligible to run for one more term in office in ]. Before becoming president, he was the ] of ]. He is the highest directly elected official in the country, but, according to Article 113 of ], he has less ] than the ], ] ], who is the ] of the ] and has the final word in all aspects of foreign and domestic policies.<ref></ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2030015,00.html
| title = A Predator Becomes More Dangerous When Wounded
| accessdate = 2007-03-28
| last = Chomsky
| first = Noam
| authorlink = Noam Chomsky
| date = ], ]
| work = Comment Is Free
| publisher = ]
| archiveurl = http://www.countercurrents.org/us-chomsky110307.htm
| archivedate = 2007-03-20
| quote = <small>It is also necessary to demonise the leadership. In the west, any wild statement by President Ahmadinejad is circulated in headlines, dubiously translated. But Ahmadinejad has no control over foreign policy, which is in the hands of his superior, the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The US media tend to ignore Khamenei's statements, especially if they are conciliatory. It's widely reported when Ahmadinejad says Israel shouldn't exist - but there is silence when Khamenei says that Iran supports the Arab League position on Israel-Palestine, calling for normalisation of relations with Israel if it accepts the international consensus of a two-state settlement.</small>
}}
</ref>

Ahmadinejad is an outspoken critic of the ] and supports strengthened relations between Iran and ] (see ]), ], ] (see ]), ] (see ]) and the ].<ref name = "Russia">{{Citation
| last = Dehghanpisheh
| first = Babak
| accessdate = 2007-05-03
| year= 2001
| title= Bear Hugs
| periodical= World Press Review
| volume= 48
| issue= 6
| pages=
| url= http://www.worldpress.org/Mideast/1185.cfm
}}
</ref><ref name = "IranVenezuela">{{Citation
| accessdate = 2007-07-29
| year= 2007
| title= Oiling the axis - Iran and Venezuela develop closer ties
| periodical= Jane's Information Group
| url= http://www.janes.com/news/security/countryrisk/jir/jir070710_1_n.shtml
}}
</ref><ref name = "Iran-PersianGulfStates">{{Citation
| accessdate = 2007-07-29
| year= 2007
| title= Broader ties among Persian Gulf states in region's interest - Ahmadinejad
| periodical= IRNA
| url= http://www2.irna.com/en/news/view/line-17/0702161362164241.htm
}}</ref> He has supported ] declaring it is for peaceful purposes in spite of contrary demands by the ] to end it.<ref>, BBC News, ], ].</ref> He made a remark which was condemned internationally<ref name = "InternationalList1">
*“International condemnation has greeted comments by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that the Nazi Holocaust was ‘a myth’.” , BBC News, ] ].
*{{cite web
| url = http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=technologyNews&storyID=2007-01-30T141209Z_01_L30400389_RTRIDST_0_TECH-ISRAEL-IRAN-WEBSITE-DC.XML&WTmodLoc=TechInternet-C3-Technology-7
| title = Iranians visit Israel's Holocaust Web site
| accessdate = 2007-01-31
| date = ]]
| publisher = ]
| quote = Jews are alarmed by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who since coming to power in 2005 has drawn international condemnation by describing the Holocaust as "a myth" and calling for Israel to be "wiped off the map."
}}
*{{cite web
| url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9823624/
| title = Iranians say Israel spat is really about nukes
| accessdate = 2006-10-18
| date = ]]
| publisher = ]
| quote = President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s remark on Wednesday that Israel should be ‘wiped off the map’ sparked international condemnation, including a rebuke from the U.N. Security Council.
}}
*"The European Union and Russia have joined condemnation of the Iranian president's public call for Israel to be 'wiped off the map'." , BBC News, ], ].
*"Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad -- who in October called for Israel to be 'wiped off the map' -- has now questioned the extent of the Holocaust and suggested that the Jewish state be moved to Europe. Ahmadinejad's comments, made on the sidelines of a summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), have again sparked international condemnation." Golnaz Esfandiari. , ''Radio Free Europe'', ] ].
*"Leaders around the world on Thursday condemned a call by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that Israel be 'wiped off the map,'... In a joint statement, the E.U. leaders 'condemned in the strongest terms' the Iranian president's call..." Mary Jordan and Karl Vick. , '']'', ] ]
*"In unusually strong language, the National Council of Churches USA has condemned Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s call for the obliteration of Israel and his claim that the Holocaust was “a myth.”" , ], ] ].
*"Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was condemned in the West when he called the Holocaust a myth." Michael Slackman. '']'', ] ].
*"In October 2005, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was condemned for calling for Israel to be "wiped off the map" and followed up with comments downplaying the Holocaust." , ''Daily News Sri Lanka'', ] ].
*"Ahmadinejad has been widely condemned for describing the Holocaust as a "myth" and calling for Israel to be "wiped off the map" , '']'', ] ].
*"Ahmadinejad has been condemned internationally after denying the Holocaust, and calling for Israel to be 'wiped off the map.'" , ], ] ]
*"Mr Ahmadinejad has been condemned for calling for Israel's destruction and saying the Nazi Holocaust was a 'myth'." , '']'', ] ].
</ref> for calling for ] to be "],"<ref name = "InternationalList1" /><ref name = "WIPED">
*{{cite web
| url = http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/30/weekinreview/30iran.html?ex=1161230400&en=26f07fc5b7543417&ei=5070
| title = Text of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Speech
| accessdate = 2006-10-17
| last = Fathi
| first = Nazila
| date = ], ]
| work = Week in Review
| publisher = ]
}}
*{{cite web
| url = http://www.boston.com/news/world/articles/2006/12/15/iran_vote_seen_as_referendum_on_ahmadinejad/
| title = Iran vote seen as referendum on Ahmadinejad
| accessdate = 2006-12-27
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
| quote = To the outside world, Ahmadinejad (pronounced ah-MAHDI-ne-JAD) is best known for spurring confrontation with the West -- restarting the uranium enrichment program that the United States believes is aimed at making a nuclear bomb; denying the Holocaust and calling for Israel to be "wiped off the map"; and declaring that Iranian influence should replace American sway in the Middle East.
}}
*{{cite web
| url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/09/21/ahmadinejad.intv/index.html
| title = Ahmadinejad: Why so sensitive about Israel?
| accessdate = 2006-10-18
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
| quote = Ahmadinejad has said in the past that Israel should be wiped off the map.
}}
</ref><ref name = "MA 60 Minutes">"When Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks out candidly — as is his habit — he scares a lot of people. He has said more than once that Israel should be wiped off the map, and that the Holocaust is an overblown fairytale.…‘Israel, you have said time and again, Israel must be wiped off the map. Please explain why. And what is Iran doing about that?’ Wallace asked.…Then Wallace tried to get the president back to his most inflammatory statement regarding Israel. ‘You are very good at filibustering,’ Wallace remarked. ‘You still have not answered the question. You still have not answered the question. Israel must be wiped off the map. Why?’<br />‘Well, don't be hasty sir,’ the president said. ‘I'm going to get to that. I think that the Israeli government is a fabricated government.’" , ], ], ], ]. Accessed 2006-10-18</ref> and described ] as a ],<ref name = "InternationalList1" /><ref>
*"Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, has again caused international outcry by repeating his view that the Holocaust was a myth. In a speech broadcast live on state television on Wednesday, Ahmadinejad told a crowd in the southern city of Zahedan: 'They have fabricated a legend under the name Massacre of the Jews, and they hold it higher than God himself, religion itself and the prophets themselves. If somebody in their country questions God, nobody says anything, but if somebody denies the myth of the massacre of Jews, the Zionist loudspeakers and the governments in the pay of Zionism will start to scream." , '']'', ], ].
*"'They have invented a myth that Jews were massacred and place this above God, religions and the prophets,' Ahmadinejad said in a speech to thousands of people in the Iranian city of Zahedan, according to a report on Wednesday from Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. 'The West has given more significance to the myth of the genocide of the Jews, even more significant than God, religion, and the prophets,' he said. '(It) deals very severely with those who deny this myth but does not do anything to those who deny God, religion, and the prophet.'". , '']'', ], ].</ref> leading to accusations of ].<ref name = "AntisemitismList1">
*"Iran's Football team will be met with a series of protests across Germany during their World Cup campaign as anger mounts against the country's viciously anti-semitic President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad." , '']'', ] ].
*"The current president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is a bit of a loose cannon, spouting anti-Semitic and anti-Israel vitriol and vehemently denying that the Holocaust ever occurred." Keeble Mcfarlane. , ''The Jamaica Observer'', ] ].
*"Each time the White House issues threats against Iran, it strengthens the crude, anti-semitic prime minister Mahmoud Ahmadinejad". Gary Younge. , '']'', ] ].
*"Ahmadinejad's recent anti-Semitic statements have added to fears in Israel that Iran's nuclear program is intended to produce weapons that could be used against that country." ]. , '']'', 02/03/2007.
*"Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent anti-Semitic remarks may have dealt a fatal blow to the already fragile negotiation process due to restart next week over Iran's nuclear program, German experts have said." Stefan Nicola. "German Experts Worried By Iranian Nukes", '']'', ] ].
*"Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's remarks calling the Holocaust into question have disappointed Muslims in Germany, who do not share his anti-Semitic views." , '']'', ] ].
*"Of course Ahmadinejad is an anti-Semite, and anyone who doubts it is either a knave or a fool." Bret Stephens. , '']', ] ].
*"Ahmadinejad is an easy target — a simplistic, rambling, blustering anti-Semite — in pop culture terms, he's "Borat" with a mandate and political clout." , '']'', ] ].
*"Mr. Ahmadinejad's anti Semitism is a true face of the Iranian government." Ghassem Namazi. , ], ] ].
*"That's why it is of vital importance for the U.S. to find a way to eradicate Khomeinism that fuels Ahmadinejad's anti-Americanism and anti-Semitism without alienating the Shia." Sayyed, Tashbih , ''Muslim World Today'', ] ].
*"Iran's highly unpleasant President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad started uttering anti-Semitic screeds." ]. , '']'', ] ].
*"German Chancellor Angela Merkel also took issue with Iran's anti-Semitic remarks of late, even saying that the Holocaust could've been avoided if people weren't so complacent, according to Reuters. "Looking back to German history in the early 1930s when National Socialism was on the rise, there were many outside Germany who said, 'It's only rhetoric -- don't get excited,' " Merkel said, according to Reuters. She added: "A president who questions Israel's right to exist, a president who denies the Holocaust, cannot expect to receive any tolerance from Germany."" , '']'', ] ].
* "Making a reference to Ahmadinejad and his remarks, Norbert Lammert, president of the Bundestag, the German parliament, said the "last weeks have shown how much we are in need of this commemoration day, and not only us Germans. "With dismay we have had to note that today, even presidents insist on describing the Holocaust as a 'fairy tale' and go so far as to make anti-Semitic remarks."" , '']'', ] ].
*"The remarks by Ahmadinejad coincided with a month-long protest against Israel called "World Without Zionism" and with the approach of Jerusalem Day... Ottawa also issued a strong rebuke, with Canadian Foreign Minister Pierre Pettigrew saying: "We cannot tolerate comments of such hatred, such anti-Semitism, such intolerance. These comments are all the more troubling given that we know of Iran's nuclear ambitions."" , '']'', ] ].
*"The far-right has said it will support Iran for the anti-Semitic comments of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad." Laura Smith-Spark. , '']'', ] ].
*"The German parliament speaker, Norbert Lammert, said the last few weeks had shown "not only us Germans how very much we need this day of commemoration". "It is with consternation that we have realised that even today heads of state describe the Holocaust as a myth and even go as far as making anti-Semitic statements," he said." , '']'', ] ].
*""Fair play for an anti-Semite?" reads a front-page headline in Germany's DIE TAGESZEITUNG. The daily describes the Iranian president as a "Holocaust denier and enemy of Israel"." , '']'', ] ].
*"He was defeated by the even more hard-line and anti-Semitic Mahmoud Ahmadinejad...". ]. ''Epicenter: Why the Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future'', Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2006, p. 109, ISBN 1414311354
*{{cite web
| url = http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F20D12FC3C5B0C708DDDA80894DE404482
| title = Israel Wants West to Deal More Urgently With Iran
| accessdate = 2007-05-17
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
| quote = Israel is also being careful not to react too strongly to the violently anti-Semitic comments of the Iranian president, Mr. Ahmadinejad.
}}
*{{cite web
| url = http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F70F16FE38550C748DDDAB0994DE404482
| title = THE WORLD; How Iran's Leader Keeps the West Off Balance
| accessdate = 2007-05-17
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
| quote = Other voices in Washington deplored the idea. Many Israelis, including Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, liken Mr. Ahmadinejad to Hitler and the Islamic Republic to the Third Reich, and Mr. Ahmadinejad often seems to validate the comparison by playing to the anti-Semitic gallery. Last week, Tehran hosted Holocaust deniers from around the world, and he repeated his threat that Israel would soon disappear.
}}
*"President Ahmadinejad’s invective that the Holocaust never happened is a sobering reminder of the corrosive power of ignorance, desperation, and hatred. It is no accident that among the first protests of the Iranian president’s statement were those of German leaders, whose parents were witnesses of the horrible reality of the Holocaust. Anti-Semitism’s most vociferous manifestation is the “Big Lie” now coming from Tehran." , ], ] ].
</ref> In response to these criticisms, Ahmadinejad said “No, I am not anti-Jew, I respect them very much.”<ref name = "MA_respect_Jews">{{cite web
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5368458.stm
| title = Iranian leader 'not anti-Semite'
| accessdate = 2007-04-08
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
| pages =
| language =
| archiveurl =
| archivedate =
| quote = <small>'Some people think if they accuse me of being anti-Jew they can solve the problem. No, I am not anti-Jew,' he said. 'I respect them very much.'</small>
}}
</ref>

During his presidency, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad launched a ] to reduce the country's fuel consumption, dissolved the ] and cut the interest rate for private and public banking facilities.<ref name = "InterestRates">{{Citation
| accessdate = 2007-07-29
| year= 2007
| title= Iran interest rate cut sparks panic selling
| periodical= Guardian Unlimited
| url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,2087915,00.html
}}</ref><ref name = "MPO">{{Citation
| accessdate = 2007-07-29
| year= 2007
| title= سازمان مدیریت و برنامه ریزی منحل شد
| periodical= BBC Persian Service
| url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/iran/story/2007/07/070710_ka-mpo.shtml
}}</ref>

==Personal life and education==

Ahmadinejad, the son of a blacksmith, was born in ], near ] on ], ]. In 1976, he took Iran's national university entrance exams (''konkoor'') to gain admission into ]. His test score ranked him 132nd among over 400,000 participants that year,<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4790005.stm
| title = Iran's president launches weblog
| accessdate = 2006-08-31
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref> landing him at the ] (IUST) as an ] student of ].

After the ], he entered the ] program for ] in 1984. In 1989, he became a member of the Science faculty at the university where he had studied.<ref>http://www.president.ir/eng/ahmadinejad/bio/</ref> In 1997, he received his ] in ] and planning from the Science and Technology University. Even after being elected President, Ahmadinejad continued living in a simple ] and eating meals brought from home, in his office. Both of these traits contributed to his widespread support amongst the poorer classes of Iran.<ref>http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/review/people_full_story.asp?service_id=8893</ref>

Ahmadinejad is married with two sons and one daughter.<ref>http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1145961353570&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull</ref> One of his sons formerly studied at the ].<ref>http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/12/11/164728.shtml</ref>

In August 2007, Ahmadinejad gave his approval for filmmaker ] to make a biopic film on him. <ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.andhranews.net/Entertainment/2007/August/29-Ahmadinejad-approves-Stone-13564.asp
| title = Ahmadinejad approves Stones biopic plans
}}</ref>

===Timeline===
{| class=wikitable
! Place !! Position or Primary Activity !! Year(s)
|-
|] || - || ]
|-
|] || university examinee|| ]
|-
| ]|| paramilitary member in engineering division || c.]-]
|-
| ]|| graduate student || c.]-]
|-
| ] || Governor || c. early 1990s
|-
| ] || Governor || c. early 1990s
|-
| ] || Advisor to Governor General|| c. early 1990s
|-
| Tehran || Advisor to Minister of Culture || ]
|-
| ] || Governor General || ]-]
|-
| ] || Active professor || ]-]
|-
| Tehran || Mayor || ]-]
|-
| Iran || ]|| 2005-
|-
| ] || Member of science & engineering board || 1989-
|}

==Early political career==
{{see also|Controversies surrounding Mahmoud Ahmadinejad}}

Ahmadinejad was politically active as a student during the 1979 ], and represented the University of Science and Technology in the Students Movement at the Central Committee for the “Office of Growth of Unity of the Students” where the plan for the embassy takeover was presented.<ref> “Details of the plan for the takeover of American Embassy in Tehran were revealed for the first time. The names of the “nucleus” students who are the followers of Imam’s Line”, 14 Feb 1999, Aria, as reported and translated on </ref> Reportedly, he first opposed the take-over .<ref> MSNBC, July 2, 2005, .</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last =Secor
| first =Laura
| title =Whose Iran?
| publisher =]
| date =] ]
| url =http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/magazine/28iran.t.html?ei=5094&en=f2ba4c492f1bab47&hp=&ex=1170046800&partner=homepage&pagewanted=all
| accessdate =] ]}}</ref> or supported a larger plan that included the simultaneous take-over of the Soviet Union embassy<ref> says "Ahmadinejad attended planning meetings for the US Embassy takeover and at these meetings lobbied for a simultaneous takeover of the Soviet Embassy." </ref> until the Ayatollah Khomeni gave his approval of the US embassy take-over.<ref>http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200510/iran-president-ahmadinejad</ref> Several former hostages and the former President of Iran have identified Ahmadinejad as one of the key individuals holding Americans inside the embassy.<ref> MSNBC, July 2, 2005, .</ref> In a secret report specifically investigating this issue, the ] declared this identification "]".<ref> </ref><ref></ref>

Ahmadinejad served as Governor General of ] from 1993 to 1997 but was not a nationally known figure when he was elected ] by the second ] on ], ], after a 12% turnout led to the election of the conservative candidates of ] in Tehran. During his mayorship, he reversed many of the changes put into effect by previous moderate and ] mayors, putting religious emphasis on the activities of the cultural centers founded by previous mayors, going on the record with the separation of ]s for men and women in the municipality offices,<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://entekhab.ir/display/?ID=2648
| title = Ahamd Bozorgian (MP): "The Separation of men and women's elevators is an advantageous policy. It would help to grow."
| accessdate = 2006-08-31
| last =
| first =
| year = 2005
| month =
| format =
| work =
| publisher = Entekhab News
| pages =
| language = {{Fa icon}}
}}
</ref> and suggesting that the bodies of those killed in the ] be buried in major ]s of Tehran. Such actions were coupled with an emphasis on ], such as distributing free soup to the poor.

After two years as mayor, Ahmadinejad was shortlisted in a list of 65 finalists for ] in 2005.<ref>{{cite web | author = vom Hove, Tann | year = 2005 | title= More than 87,000 took part in the World Mayor 2005 project | work=] | url= http://www.worldmayor.com/voting05/intro05.html|accessdate=2006-05-12}}</ref> Out of the 550 nominated mayors, nine were from Asia.<ref></ref>

He was not much better known when he entered the presidential election campaign, although he had already made his mark for rolling back earlier reforms. After his election to the presidency, Ahmadinejad resigned from his post as the mayor of Tehran. His resignation was accepted on ], ].

He is a member of the ], but his key support is inside the ] (''Abadgaran'').<ref>Aneja, Atul (2006). ''New dynamics''. Frontline. http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2326/stories/20070112001105500.htm Accessed July 28, 2007.</ref>

==Presidency==
===Presidential campaign===
Ahmadinejad generally sent mixed signals about his plans for his presidency, which some US-based analysts considered to have been designed to attract both religious conservatives and the lower economic classes.<ref>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/18/AR2005061801226_pf.html
|title = "Hard Line Figure in Iran Runoff"
}}</ref> His campaign ] was, "It's possible and we can do it." ({{fa|می‌شود و می‌توانیم}}).

In his presidential campaign, Ahmadinejad took a populist approach, with emphasis on his own modest life, and compared himself with ], the second president of Iran. Ahmadinejad said he had plans to create an "exemplary government for the people of the world" in Iran. He is a self-described "principlist"; that is, acting politically based on Islamic and ] principles. One of his goals has been "putting the ] income on people's tables", referring to Iran's oil profits being distributed among the poor.<ref>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/HA19Ak03.html
|title = "Iran and the art of crisis management"
}}</ref>

Ahmadinejad was the only presidential candidate who spoke out against future relations with the ]. In an interview with ] a few days before the elections, Ahmadinejad accused the ] of being "one-sided, stacked against the ]."<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://worldnews.about.com/od/iran/p/ahmadinejad.htm
| title = Profile: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran
| accessdate = 2006-08-31
| last = Brea
| first = Jennifer
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref> He has openly opposed the ] given to the five permanent members of the ]. In the same interview, he stated, "It 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 has defended ] and has accused "a few arrogant powers" of attempting to limit Iran's industrial and technological development in this and other fields.

After his election he proclaimed, "Thanks to the blood of the ]s, a new Islamic revolution has arisen and the Islamic revolution of 1384 will, if God wills, cut off the roots of injustice in the world." He said, that "the wave of the Islamic revolution" would soon "reach the entire world."<ref>{{cite news | first = Ramita | last = Navai | url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,251-1674547,00.html | title = President invokes new Islamic wave | publisher = ]|date = ] ] | accessdate = 2006-05-12}}</ref>

During his campaign for the second round, he said, "We didn't participate in the revolution for turn-by-turn government.…This revolution tries to reach a world-wide government." Also he has mentioned that he has an extended program on fighting ] in order to improve foreign relations and has called for greater ties with Iran's neighbours and ending ] requirements between states in the region, saying that "people should visit anywhere they wish freely. People should have freedom in their ]s and tours."<ref>{{cite news | title = Profile of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Friend or foe? | url = http://persianmirror.com/community/2005/opinion/MahmoudAhmadinejad.cfm}}</ref>
Since his election to the presidency he has taken a tough stand on a number of foreign policy matters, in line with his hard-line background.

As confirmed by Ahmadinejad, ] ], a senior cleric from Qom, is President Ahmadinejad's ideological mentor and spiritual guide. Mesbah is the founder of ] School of thought in Iran. He and his team strongly supported Ahmadinejad's campaign during presidential election in 2005.<ref>{{cite news | title = Iran Symposium: 'Divide and empower' | url = http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=7487}}</ref>

===Election===
{{main|Iranian presidential election, 2005}}
Ahmadinejad became the 6th President of Iran on ], ], after winning 62% of the vote in the run-off poll, nearly twice that of ex-President ].<ref>
{{cite web
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4622501.stm
| title = Iran hardliner hails poll victory
| accessdate = 2006-12-06
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref> He received the presidential authorization from ] ] on ], ].<ref>
{{cite web
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4740441.stm
| title = Iran hardliner becomes president
| accessdate = 2006-12-06
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref> During the authorization ceremony he kissed Khamenei's hand in demonstration of his loyalty to him.<ref>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.iranvajahan.net/cgi-bin/news.pl?l=en&y=2006&m=09&d=09&a=1
| title = Behind Ahmadinejad, a Powerful Cleric
| accessdate = 2006-12-06
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref><ref>http://tofoiran.packdeal.com/clips/DrIman/20060906-DrIman-CNN-225.asx</ref> Journalist ] claims that Khamenei's eldest son Mujtaba acted as Ahmadinejad's campaign manager during the election.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.benadorassociates.com/article/16308
| title = Winners and Losers Turn the Fate of Iran
| accessdate = 2006-12-06
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref>

===Cabinet===
Ahmadinejad was required to introduce his suggested ministers to Majlis for a vote of approval in fifteen days, after which Majlis would have one week to decide about the ministers. It was mentioned by Masoud Zaribafan, Ahmadinejad's campaign manager, that Ahmadinejad would probably introduce his cabinet on the same day of his vow, which did not happen, but the list was finally sent to the Majlis on ]. The Majlis were set to vote on the suggested ministers by ].

The parliament had held a private meeting on ], when Ahmadinejad presented a shortlist of three or four candidates for each ministry, to know the opinion of Majlis about his candidates. The final list was officially sent to the Majlis on ], ].

After a few days of heavy discussions in Majlis, which started on ], ], Ahmadinejad's cabinet was voted for on ], ], and became the first cabinet since the ] in not winning a complete vote of approval.{{Fact|date=December 2006}} Four candidates, for the ministries of Cooperatives, Education, Petroleum, and Welfare and Social Security, all previous colleagues of Ahmadinejad in the ], were voted down, with the other candidates becoming ministers.{{Fact|date=December 2006}}

The list of suggested ministers and their votes went:<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://president.ir/ahmadinejad/cronicnews/1384/06/02/index-f.htm#b3
| title = Ahmadinejad’s cabinet declared.
| accessdate = 2006-10-18
| publisher = Presidency of The Islamic Republic of Iran
| language = {{Fa icon}}
}}
</ref>
{| border="1" class="toccolours" style="border-collapse:collapse"
|- style="background-color: #ddd"
! '''Ministry'''
! '''Candidate minister'''
! '''Approvals'''
! '''Denials'''
! '''Abstentions'''
|-
| Agricultural || ] || 214 || 45 || 24
|-
| Commerce || ] || 169 || 85 || 25
|-
| Communication and Information Technology || ] || 220 || 43 || 16
|-
| Cooperatives || ] || 105 || 134 || 34
|-
| Culture and Islamic Guidance || ] || 181 || 78 || 20
|-
| Defense and Logistics || ] || 205 || 55 || 17
|-
| Economy and Financial Affairs || ] || 216 || 47 || 19
|-
| Education || ] || 73 || 175 || 31
|-
| Energy || ] || 194 || 56 || 23
|-
| ] || ] || 220 || 47 || 16
|-
| Health and Medical Education || ] || 169 || 86 || 27
|-
| Housing and Urban Development || ] || 222 || 31 || 25
|-
| Industries and Mines || ] || 182 || 58 || 30
|-
| ] || ] || 217 || 51 || 13
|-
| Interior || ] || 153 || 90 || 31
|-
| Justice || ] || 191 || 59 || 24
|-
| Labour and Social Affairs || ] || 197 || 59 || 20
|-
| Petroleum || ] || 101 || 133 || 38
|-
| Petroleum || ] || 77 || 139 || 38
|-
| Petroleum || ] || 172 || 53 || 34
|-
| Roads and Transportation || ] || 214 || 43 || 21
|-
| Science, Research, and Technology || ] || 144 || 101 || 35
|-
| Welfare and Social Security || ] || 131 || 108 || 36
|}

The new board of ministers held its first meeting on ] in ], promising to keep frequent meetings to cities other than the capital, Tehran. Temporary supervisors for two of the four ministries without new ministers were appointed by Ahmadinejad on ], ] for the Ministry of Cooperatives and ] for the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security.{{Fact|date=December 2006}}

==Domestic policy==
===Economy===

{{seealso|Economy of Iran}}

Ahmadinejad submitted his first annual ], covering April 2006–March 2007, to Iran’s ] on ], ]. The draft budget called for 1,956 trillion Rials (US$217.4 billion) in total spending, 27% more than in the fiscal 2005–06 budget. The oil-revenue projections, a significant portion of fiscal revenues, were based on a US$39.70/barrel price forecast for oil exports. The plan called on state-owned banks to allocate a larger portion of their resources to consumer loans for low-income families and small enterprises in underdeveloped regions. It also called for a visible increase in housing subsidies for low-income families, accounting for roughly US$1 billion in construction costs for those who are worse off.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.globalinsight.com/Perspective/PerspectiveDetail2655.htm
| title = Iran's 2006–07 Budget Puts More Emphasis on Economic Justice
| accessdate = 2006-08-31
| last = Habibi
| first = Nader
| year = 2006
| work = Perspectives
| publisher = GLOBAL INSIGHT
}}
</ref>

Ahmadinejad is said to have devoted approximately 35 billion Rials (roughly US$3.5 million) to an NGO associated with ], an increase of almost tenfold.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://tik.ir/display/?ID=14342&page=1
| title = 3.5 billion toman (about 3.7 million us dolor) assign to the Ayatollah Mesbah Yadi's institute in the yearly budget.
| accessdate = 2006-08-31
| last =
| first =
| year = 2005
| month =
| format =
| work =
| publisher = Entekhab News
| pages =
| language = {{Fa icon}}
}}
</ref>

In June 2006, 50 Iranian economists wrote a letter to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, criticizing price interventions to stabilize prices of goods, cement, and government services, as well as a decree issued by the High Labor Council and the Ministry of Labor proposing an increase of workers' salaries by 40%. Ahmadinejad publicly responded harshly to the letter and denounced the accusations.<ref></ref><ref></ref>

On January 25, 2007, The president called high petrol consumption as the main problem facing national economy.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=1/25/2007&Cat=2&Num=023
| title = Iran trying to prevent another UN resolution: president
| accessdate = 2007-01-25
| last = Times
| first = Tehran
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref>

“So far, this year (started March 21, 2006) the ] has spent billions of dollars for importing petrol”, he noted. The government is trying to control the high petrol consumption, but it has no plan to sell the petrol at the market price, he stated. He also refused a gradual increase of petrol prices, saying after making necessary preparations such as a development of ] system the government will free up petrol prices after five years.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.payvand.com/news/07/jan/1295.html
| title = Ahmadinejad's Achilles Heel
| accessdate = 2007-01-25
| last = Dr. Bakhtiar
| first = Abbas
| date = ], ]
| publisher = Payvand
}}
</ref>

In July 2007, the ] was dissolved after a direct order of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The organization was a 60 years old, scientific planning body that had a supervisory role in addition to its responsibility to allocate the national budget. Although the MPO was a state body whose head was appointed by the president, it was relatively independent organisation.<ref></ref> President Ahmadinejad, however, established a new budget planning body directly under his control, a move that may give him a freer hand to implement populist policies blamed for driving up prices.<ref></ref> Economist Fariborz Raiis-Dana said that the decision dealt the coup de grace to the structure of the national management organization. Iranian MP Esmaeil Gramimoqaddam said that the president's directive is illegal and the parliament opposes his decision. "The president is not authorized to order an alteration or merger of an organization. This is the parliament's job," he added. <ref></ref>

===Family planning and population policy===

{{seealso|Family planning in Iran}}

In October 2006, President Ahmadinejad opposed encouraging families to limit themselves to just two children, stating that Iran could cope with 50 million more people than the current 70 million.<ref name = "Guard-Child">{{cite web
| url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,1929364,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=1
| title = Ahmadinejad urges Iranian baby boom to challenge west
| accessdate = 2007-05-03
| last = Tait
| first = Robert
| date = ], ]
| work = Guardian Unlimited
| publisher = ]
| quote = <small>Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has called for a baby boom to almost double the country’s population to 120 million and enable it to threaten the west. In remarks that have drawn criticism, he told MPs he wanted to scrap existing birth control policies which discouraged Iranian couples from having more than two children. Women should work less and devote more time to their “main mission” of raising children, Mr Ahmadinejad said....Mr Ahmadinejad’s call for a higher birth rate echoes a similar demand by the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini after the triumph of Iran’s Islamic revolution in 1979.</small>
}}
</ref> In remarks that have drawn criticism, he told ] he wanted to scrap existing birth control policies which discouraged Iranian couples from having more than two children.<ref name = "Guard-Child" /> Critics reacted with alarm and said the president’s call was ill-judged at a time when Iran was struggling with surging inflation and rising unemployment, estimated at around 11%. Mr Ahmadinejad’s call for an increased birth rate is reminiscent of a demand Ayatollah ] 1979. The policy was effective in increasing population growth, but was eventually reversed in response to the resultant economic strain.<ref name = "Guard-Child" />

===Housing===
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"''<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://roozonline.com/01newsstory/012137.shtml
| title = "Reza's Compassion Fund" project archived.
| accessdate = 2006-10-17
| date =
| year =
| month =
| work =
| publisher = ]
| language = {{fa icon}}
}}
</ref> which was named after one of ]'s ], ]. By tapping into Iran's oil revenues, Ahmadinejad's government says that this fund will be used to help young people to get jobs and to afford marriage, as well to assist in purchasing their own homes. The fund also sought charitable donations, and includes a ] in each of Iran's 30 provinces. The new plan is subject to the approval of the conservative-held ], but is seen as unlikely to encounter strong opposition, given that deputies in the Majles have also shown an eagerness to focus on resolving economic problems. The legislation was in response to the costly housing in urban centres 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 allegedly put his proposal into practice by ordering the administrative council to execute the plan.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://roozonline.com/01newsstory/016575.shtml
| title = Reza's Compassion Fund; a political fund with 530 billion budget.
| accessdate = 2006-10-17
| date =
| year =
| month =
| work =
| publisher = ]
| language = {{fa icon}}
}}
</ref>

===Women's rights and hijab===
On ] ], Ahmadinejad announced that a ruling which prevented women from watching men playing sports in stadiums would soon be reversed.<ref>
*{{cite web
| url = http://uk.news.yahoo.com/24042006/325/iran-president-says-women-sports-stadiums.html
| title = Iran president says let women into sports stadiums
| accessdate = 2006-10-17
| author = ]
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
| quote = Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday women should be allowed into sports stadiums for the first time, reversing the Islamic Republic's code preventing them watching men playing sports in big venues
}}
*{{cite web
| url = http://www.roozonline.com/05newspapers/015248.shtml
| title = An unexpected order.
| accessdate = 2006-10-17
| date =
| year =
| month =
| work =
| publisher = ]
| language = {{fa icon}}
}}
* ''CNN''</ref> A state television announcer reported that Ahmadinejad "ordered the head of the sports organization to provide facilities in the stadiums to watch national matches." Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying: "The best stands should be allocated to women and families in the stadiums in which national and important matches are being held." Two days earlier, Ahmadinejad had objected to punishment of women appearing in stadiums without proper ]. His remarks angered some supporters.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/iran/story/2006/04/060426_shr-z-football.shtml
| title = The problem of Women and the pressures of religious groups on Ahmadinejad.
| accessdate = 2006-10-17
| author =
| last =
| first =
| date =
| year =
| month =
| format =
| publisher = ]
| language = {{fa icon}}
}}
</ref> Soon after his remarks, several of the highest-ranking clerics and ]s including, ] ] and ]s ], ], ], ] and ] announced their objection to his decision, urgently calling for cancellation of the order. In ], many clerics demonstrated against the president's letter.<ref>
*{{cite web
| url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/iran/story/2006/04/060426_mf_footbal.shtml
| title = Religious leaders protest with the presence of women in the football stadiums.
| accessdate = 2006-10-17
| author =
| last =
| first =
| date =
| year =
| month =
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| publisher = ]
| language = {{fa icon}}
}}
*{{cite web
| url = http://news.gooya.eu/politics/archives/047128.php
| title = Ayatollah Noori Hamedani: "The attendance of women in the men's sport clubs are against the islamic laws". ILNA
| accessdate = 2006-10-17
| author =
| last =
| first =
| date =
| year =
| month =
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| language = {{fa icon}}
}}
*{{cite web
| url = http://news.gooya.eu/politics/archives/047108.php
| title = Clergies and religious students of ''Howze Elmie Qom'' gather in ''Feyzie school'' in protest with Ahmadinejad's order on women’s liberty to go to staduims. ILNA
| accessdate = 2006-10-17
| author =
| last =
| first =
| date =
| year =
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| format =
| publisher = ]
| language = {{fa icon}}
}}
*{{cite web
| url = http://news.gooya.eu/politics/archives/047106.php
| title = Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: "What is the importance of women's presence at the insecure atmosphere of the stadiums?" ISNA
| accessdate = 2006-10-17
| author =
| last =
| first =
| date =
| year =
| month =
| format =
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| language = {{fa icon}}
}}
*{{cite web
| url = http://news.gooya.eu/politics/archives/047104.php
| title = Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi protests harshly against Ahmadinejad’s order on giving liberty to woman to attend stadiums. ISNA
| accessdate = 2006-10-17
| author =
| last =
| first =
| date =
| year =
| month =
| format =
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| language = {{fa icon}}
}}
</ref> Iran's Supreme Leader ] reversed the decision,<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://english.aljazeera.net/English/archive/archive?ArchiveId=22596
| title = Iran to keep stadium ban on women
| accessdate = 2007-04-16
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
| quote = <small>Iran's supreme leader has vetoed a decision by the president to allow women into sports stadiums. A government official said on Monday that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei opposed the move by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to allow women on to the stands - a suggestion which caused a furore in the clerical establishment.</small>
}}
</ref> and at least 60,000 mullahs in sharia courts, ranging from grassroots levels to the national level, expressed concerns. A Shi'ite news agency quoted one of Ahmadinejad's advisors saying that the President's statement about the attendance of women in stadium was a political measure to defend the government against a US-led conspiracy. According to these reports, Ahmadinejad's government believed that the attendance of women in stadiums was against ] and therefore had to be banned, contrary to the earlier letter.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.baztab.com/news/41493.php
| title = The clerical councilor of the president explains about Ahmadinejad's order on women's attendance to the stadiums.
| accessdate = 2006-10-17
| author =
| last =
| first =
| date =
| year =
| month =
| format =
| publisher = ]
| language = {{fa icon}}
}}
</ref>

Some conservatives in Iran have been angered by a perceived deterioration in obedience to the republic's female Islamic dress code. Conservative MP Rafat Bayat has blamed Ahmadinejad for this, saying that observance of the required ] has declined because Ahmadinejad is "not that strict on this issue".<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6213854.stm
| title = Iran police move into fashion business
| accessdate = 2007-04-16
| last = Harrison
| first = Frances
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
| quote = <small>‘Observance of hijab has got worse since the new government because Mr Ahmadinejad is not that strict on this issue,’ complains Mrs Bayat. ‘Mr Ahmadinejad thinks we should not use force when acting on this issue so as a result hijab has become weaker’ she says.
}}
</ref> Ahmadinejad has been also accused of indecency by people close to ],<ref>http://www.ansarnews.com/?usr=news/detail&nid=993</ref> after he publicly kissed the hand of a woman who used to be his school teacher.<ref></ref>

In ], the Tehran police which is under supervision of Khamenei, began a crackdown on women with "improper hijab". This resulted in harsh criticism from associates of President Ahmadinejad, who have noted the injudiciousness of this action and the negative impact the issue will have on the youth.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.baztab.com/news/65372.php
| title = Ahmadinejad's adviser criticizes hijab enforcement issue.
| accessdate = 2007-4-23
| author =
| last =
| first =
| date =
| year =
| month =
| format =
| publisher = ]
| language = {{fa icon}}
}}
</ref> It was further reported that the idea was proposed by ], in which ] -the main opponent of President Ahmadinejad- is a leading member. President Ahmadinejad has summoned the head of the police and has asked him to clarify the reasons for the act.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.baztab.com/news/65160.php
| title = مبارزه با بدحجابي، قرباني آرزوهاي سياسي مسئولان؟
| accessdate = 2007-4-23
| author =
| last =
| first =
| date =
| year =
| month =
| format =
| publisher = ]
| language = {{fa icon}}
}}
</ref>

===Universities===
In 2006, the Ahmadinejad government reportedly forced numerous Iranian scientists and University professors to resign or to retire. It has been referred to as "second cultural revolution" after the ] earlier.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://roozonline.com/01newsstory/016196.shtml
| title = Protest against the second cultural revolution.
| accessdate = 2006-10-18
| author =
| last =
| first =
| date =
| year =
| month =
| format =
| publisher = ]
| language = {{fa icon}}
}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = http://roozonline.com/english/016235.shtml
| title = Cleansing in the Name of Retirement
| accessdate = 2006-10-18
| last = Irani
| first = Hamed
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref> The policy has been said to replace old professors with younger ones.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.aftabnews.ir/vdcco4q2boqe0.html
| title = Khoshchehreh (MP) protests against the unwanted retirement of university professors.
| accessdate = 2006-10-18
| author =
| last =
| first =
| date =
| year =
| publisher = Aftab news
| language = {{fa icon}}
}}
</ref> Some university professors received letters indicating their early retirement unexpectedly.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.aftabnews.ir/vdcdnf0yt509o.html
| title = Different aspects of the unwanted retirement of university professors.
| accessdate = 2006-10-18
| author =
| last =
| first =
| date =
| year =
| publisher = Aftab news
| language = {{fa icon}}
}}
</ref>
In November 2006, 53 university professors had to retire from ].<ref></ref>

In 2006, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government applied a 50% quota for male students and 50% for female students in the University entrance exam for ], ] and ]. 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, ] 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 ] stated that an increase in the presence of women will make it difficult to distribute facilities in a suitable manner. Bagher Larijani, the president of ] made similar remarks. According to ], the quotas lack a legal foundation and are justified as support for "family" and "religion."<ref></ref>

===Nuclear program===
{{see also|Nuclear program of Iran}}
Ahmadinejad has been a vocal supporter of ]. On ], ], Ahmadinejad announced that Iran would have peaceful nuclear technology very soon. He also emphasized that building a ] is not the policy of his government. He has said that there was no such policy and that such a policy was "illegal and against our religion."<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/iran/story/2006/01/060111_mj-ir-nuke-ahmadinejad.shtml
| title = Ahamadinejad: "We will reach the nuclear energy in near future."
| accessdate = 2006-10-29
| author =
| last =
| first =
| date =
| year =
| publisher = ]
| language = {{fa icon}}
}}
</ref>{{Verify source|date=April 2007}}

He also added at a January 2006 conference in ] that a nation that had "culture, logic and civilisation" would not need nuclear weapons, but that countries which sought nuclear weapons were those which wanted to solve all problems by the use of force.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4613644.stm
| title = Excerpts: Ahmadinejad conference
| accessdate = 2006-10-29
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref>

In April 2006, Ahmadinejad announced that Iran had successfully refined ] to a stage suitable for the nuclear fuel cycle. In a speech to students and academics in ], he was quoted saying that Iran's conditions had changed completely as it became a nuclear state and could talk to other states from that stand.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/060413/2006041301.html
| title = Ahmadinejad: Iran can now talk to world from vantage point of a nuclear state
| accessdate = 2006-10-29
| date = ], ]
| publisher = Arabicnews.com
}}
</ref>

On ], ], Iranian news agency ] quoted Ahmadinejad as saying that the peaceful Iranian nuclear technology would not pose a threat to any party because "we want peace and stability and we will not cause injustice to anyone and at the same time we will not submit to injustice."<ref>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:oHfiDgTqiW4J:washtimes.com/upi/20060413-093634-8426r.htm
| orgurl = http://washtimes.com/upi/20060413-093634-8426r.htm
| title = Ahmadinejad: Iran nuke right non-negotiable
| accessdate = 2006-12-06
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref>

However, the office of the Iranian President is not responsible for nuclear policy. It is instead set by the ]. The council includes two representatives appointed by the Supreme Leader, military officials and members of the executive, judicial and legislative branches of government (see eg. ]), and reports directly to Supreme Leader ], who issued a ] against nuclear weapons in 2005.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/6/C10D5293-86D9-4C7D-8B9F-1A252BC10D3E.html
| title = Iran: Election Of Ahmadinejad Unlikely To Affect Nuclear Negotiations
| accessdate = 2006-10-29
| last = Recknagel
| first = Charles
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref>

On ], ] the Iranian President announced that "Today the Iranian nation possesses the full nuclear fuel cycle."<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=15696
| title = Ahmadi Nejad: Iran Completes Nuclear Cycle
| accessdate = 2006-11-15
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref>

==Domestic criticism of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad==
Some critics have alleged that President Ahmadinejad is becoming increasingly unpopular at home for spending too much time criticizing the United States and not enough time reforming the nation's stagnant economy.<ref></ref>

At one point in 2006, vegetables prices tripled and housing prices doubled within a matter of months, leading to calls by Iranians for Ahmadinejad to focus on the economy rather than disputes with the West. His critics include some of the conservatives who helped him win the ]. For instance, ], a member of Iranian parliament who campaigned for Ahmadinejad, said that his government "has been strong on populist slogans but weak on achievement."<ref name=discontent>{{cite web
| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/17/AR2007011701335.html
| title = Iran's Discontent With Ahmadinejad Grows
| accessdate = 2007-08-28
| last = Dareini
| first = Ali Akbar
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref>

It is claimed that Iran's increasing economic and diplomatic isolation, have pushed conservatives inside Iran to distance themselves from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. More than 50 parliamentary members signed a letter in January 2007, calling on Ahmadinejad to appear before parliament to explain himself.<ref></ref> Some sources<ref name=moderating>{{cite web
| url = http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Security/10403.htm
| title = Khamenei calls for moderating national stance on nukes
| accessdate = 2007-08-28
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref> say that Ahmadinejad may be vulnerable as Khamenei is said to have voiced his displeasure with him and due to the fact that the latter has the authority to dismiss the president. ] himself usually refrains from speaking in public but in what some claimed was his privately owned newspaper, he supposedly criticized the president's "personalization" of the nuclear issue.<ref name=moderating /><ref></ref> However, sources close to the President have said the article comes from ].<ref>http://www.rajanews.com/News/?5625</ref> Ahmadinejad’s team lost the 2006 City council elections and his spiritual mentor, ] was ranked sixth on the country's Assembly of Experts.<ref></ref> Later, a source denied any rift between the nation's top politician and Ahmadinejad.<ref> 31 Jan 2007 ''Reuters''</ref>

While the campaign to summon Ahmadinejad to appear in the ] is gathering momentum,{{Fact|date=May 2007}} some Majlis deputies have threatened to impeach the ministers of interior and education. According to reports published by various news agencies, the bills to impeach ] (Minister of the Interior) and ] (Minister of Education) will be introduced in Majlis on 24 Jan 2006.<ref></ref>

In January 2007, ] harshly criticized Ahmadinejad and accused him of harming the country. Montazeri, 85, is a senior theologian of the ] faith. Also Mohammad Moussavian, a former nuclear negotiator who is currently in prison for espionage, has accused Ahmadinejad of lying to the people about the grave consequences of the penalties voted for by the Security Council. "Our advice to the president is to speak about the nuclear issue only during important national occasions, stop provoking aggressive powers like the United States and concentrate more on the daily needs of the people, those who voted for you on your promises," wrote the Islamic Republic.<ref></ref>

], who is a ], has invoked the supreme leader, suggesting the leader was pained by the very slow pace of privatisation under Mr Ahmadinejad's government.<ref></ref>

In ] Khamenei responded to ] Ahmadinejad's alleged remark that ] should be "]" by saying that "the ] has never threatened and will never threaten any country."<ref>{{cite news
| last =Edalat
| first =Abbas
| coauthors =
| title =The US can learn from this example of mutual respect
| work =
| pages =
| language =
| publisher =]
| date =2007-04-05
| url =http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2050168,00.html
| accessdate =2007-04-30 }}</ref> Moreover Khamenei`s main advisor in foreign policy, ], refused to take part in Holocaust conference. In contrast to Ahmadinejad`s remarks, Velayati said that Holocaust was a genocide and a historical reality. <ref></ref>

In June 2007, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was criticized by some Iranian parliament members over his remark about Christianity and Judaism. According to Aftab News Agency, President Ahmadinejad stated: "In the world, there are deviations from the right path: Christianity and Judaism. Dollars have been devoted to the propagation of these deviations. There are also false claims that these will save mankind. But Islam is the only religion that save mankind." Some members of Iranian parliament criticized these remarks as being fuels to religious war. <ref></ref><ref></ref>

===December 2006 Student protest===
On ], ], some students disrupted a speech by Ahmadinejad at the ] in ]. According to the ], students set fire to photographs of Ahmadinejad and threw firecrackers. The protesters also chanted "death to the dictator". It was the first major public protest against Ahmadinejad since his election. In a statement carried on the students' Web site,{{Fact|date=February 2007}} they announced that they had been protesting the growing political pressure under Ahmadinejad, also accusing him of corruption, mismanagement, and discrimination. "The students showed that despite vast propaganda, the president has not been able to deceive academia", the statement added. It was also reported that some students were angry about the ].<ref name=students>{{cite web
| url = http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1841632006
| title = Protesters condemn Holocaust conference
| accessdate = 2007-05-06
| last = Theodoulou
| first = Michael
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
| quote = <small>A onference of the world's most prominent Holocaust deniers opened in Iran yesterday amid international condemnation and protests by dozens of Iranian students, who burned pictures of president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and chanted ‘death to the dictator.’ Never has the hardline leader, who was giving a speech at a university in Tehran yesterday, faced such open hostility at home. One student said the crowd was protesting against the ‘shameful’ Holocaust conference - which was organised after Mr Ahmadinejad described the murder of six million Jews by Nazis a ‘myth’ invented to justify the occupation of Palestinian land - and the ‘fact that many activists with student movements have not been allowed to attend university.’</small>
}}
</ref>

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 the rise of a dictator".<ref></ref> It was reported that even though the protesters broke the TV cameras, and threw hand-made bombs at Ahmadinejad<ref></ref>, the president asked the officials not to question or disturb the protesters.<ref> </ref> 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.<ref>.</ref>

1,000 students also protested the day before to denounce the increasing pressure on the reformist groups at the university, newspapers reported. In the week prior, more than 2,000 students protested at ] on the country's annual student day<ref></ref>, with speakers saying there had been a crackdown on dissent at universities since Ahmadinejad was elected.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,650214386,00.html | title=Students disrupt speech by Iran chief | author=Nazila Fathi | publisher=New York Times News Service | date=], ]}}</ref><ref name=students />

An organization numbering 12,000 students led by student leader Abbas Fakhr-Avar, living in exile in the United States, opposes Ahmadinejad and hopes to topple his government.<ref> </ref>

===2006 Councils and Assembly of Experts election===
{{main|Iranian councils election, 2006}}
{{main|Iranian Assembly of Experts election, 2006}}

In the first nationwide election since Ahmadinejad took office in 2005, allies of the Iranian President failed to dominate election returns for the ] and local councils. Turnout of about 60 percent was reported, with the results suggesting a voter shift toward more moderate policies. "The results show that voters have learned from the past and concluded that we need to support . . . moderate figures", the independent daily newspaper Kargozaran said in an editorial. "This is a blow for Ahmadinejad and ] list", an Iranian political analyst was quoted as saying.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/17/AR2006121700772.html | title=Results in Iranian Vote Seen as Setback for Ahmadinejad | publisher=Reuters | author=Edmund Blair | date=], ]}}</ref>

===Parliamentary Opposition and vetoes by the Supreme Leader===
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has had a number of struggles first of all on winning the Presidential election to get his nominations for official positions through parliament and to pass his legislation.

He was vetoed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei when he attempted to change the law to permit women to attend sporting events,<ref> ], ] ]</ref> and has been considered by some to be "not strict" on the issue of enforcement of Islamic dress codes.<ref> ], ] ]</ref>

His criticism of the West has been controversial among some members of Iranian Parliament, leading to attempts to compel him to go to the parliament to answer some questions, although impeachment is unlikely.<ref> ], ] ]</ref>

==Foreign policy==
===Iran-United States relations===
{{main|Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's letter to George W. Bush}}
{{see also|United States-Iran relations}}{{see also|Controversies surrounding Mahmoud Ahmadinejad}}
{{wikisource|Ahmadinejad's 2006 letter to Bush|Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's letter to George W. Bush in May 2006}}
{{wikisource|Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 2006 letter to the American people}}
On ], ], Ahmadinejad sent a personal letter <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/09_05_06ahmadinejadletter.pdf</ref> to ] ] to propose "new ways" to end Iran's nuclear dispute.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3362443.stm
| title = Timeline: US-Iran ties
| accessdate = 2006-10-29
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref> U.S. Secretary of State ] and National Security Adviser ] both reviewed the letter and dismissed it as a negotiating ploy and publicity stunt that did not address U.S. concerns about Iran's nuclear program.<ref name = "WPLetter">{{cite web
| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/08/AR2006050800141.html
| title = No Proposals in Iranian's Letter to Bush, U.S. Says
| accessdate = 2006-10-29
| last = Vick
| first = Karl
| coauthors = Colum Lynch
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
| pages = A18
}}
</ref> A few days later at a meeting in ], Ahmadinejad said, "the letter was an invitation to monotheism and justice, which are common to all divine prophets."<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-24/0605110155191821.htm
| title = President says his letter to President Bush was invitation to Islam
| accessdate = 2006-10-29
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
| quote = Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here Thursday that his letter to President George W. Bush did not concern the nuclear dossier, but rather was an invitation to Islam and the prophets culture. "We act according to our laws and our activities are quite clear. We are rather intent on solving more fundamental global matters. The letter was an invitation to monotheism and justice, which are common to all divine prophets. If the call is responded positively, there will be no more problems to be solved", added the president.
}}
</ref>

On ], ], he gave a television interview to ], a correspondent for '']''.<ref name = "MA 60 Minutes">{{cite web
| url = http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/09/60minutes/main1879867.shtml
| title = Iranian Leader Opens Up: Ahmadinejad Speaks Candidly With Mike Wallace About Israel, Nukes, Bush
| accessdate = 2006-12-22
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}</ref>

In mid 2006, ] Mahmoud Ahmadinejad invited ] ] to a debate at the ] ] which was to take place on ] ]. The debate was to be about ] right to enrich uranium. The invitation was promptly rejected by White House spokesman ] who said "There's not going to be a steel-cage grudge match between the President and Ahmadinejad."<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/situation.room/blog/2006/09/no-steel-cage-grudge-match-between.html
| title = No 'steel-cage, grudge match' between Bush, Ahmadinejad
| accessdate = 2007-01-10
| date = Thursday, ], ]
| publisher = CNN
}}
</ref>

On ], ], Ahmadinejad wrote an open letter to the American people <ref>http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/11/29/ahmadinejad.letter/</ref>, representing some of his anxieties and concerns. He stated that there is an urgency to have a dialog because of the activities of the US administration in the Middle East, and their concealing the truth about current realities. The letter criticized many policies of the US administration, and stated that the American people "showed their discontent in the recent elections."<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/iran_pres_letter.pdf
| title = Message of H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad President of the Republic of Iran to the American People
| accessdate = 2006-11-29
| date = ], ]
| publisher = Foxnews
}}
</ref> In the letter, he also states that Iran condemns all terrorism. The ] considers Iran to be the world's leading state supporter of terrorism and Iran has been on the ] since 1984.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.state.gov/s/d/former/armitage/remarks/25682.htm
| title = U.S. Policy and Iran. Testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
| author = Richard L. Armitage, Deputy Secretary of State
| accessdate = 2006-12-01
| date = ], ]
| publisher = U.S. Department of State
}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.state.gov/p/us/rm/2005/57473.htm
| title = U.S. Policy and Iran. Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies
| author = R. Nicholas Burns, Under Secretary for Political Affairs
| accessdate = 2006-12-01
| date = ], ]
| publisher = U.S. Department of State
}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.state.gov/s/ct/c14151.htm
| title = State Sponsors of Terrorism
| accessdate = 2007-02-05
| publisher = U.S. Department of State
}}
</ref>

During his presidency, Iran and US had the most high-profile contact in almost 30 years. Iran and US froze diplomatic relations in 1980 and had no direct diplomatic contact until May 2007.<ref></ref>

===Iran-Russia relations===
{{see also|Iran-Russia relations}}
Ahmadinejad has moved to strengthen relations with ], setting up an office expressly dedicated to the purpose in October 2005. He has worked with ] on the nuclear issue, and both Putin and Ahmadinejad have expressed a desire for more mutual cooperation on issues involving the ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Ahmadinejad: Special Hq to be formed for Tehran-Moscow cooperation|publisher=]| url=http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-17/0510268047185402.htm|accessdate=2006-04-14|date=October 26, 2005}}</ref> However, Western intelligence officials recently accused Ahmadinejad of sanctioning the training and funding of ] rebels, who are fighting against Russia, inside Iran.<ref>{{cite news|title= Teheran 'secretly trains' Chechens to fight in Russia|publisher=]| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=SOKLFPK05APSDQFIQMGSFFWAVCBQWIV0?xml=/news/2005/11/27/wchech27.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/11/27/ixworld.html | accessdate=2006-04-14|date=], ]}}</ref>

===Anti-Israel statements===
{{main|Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Israel}}
{{see also|Iran-Israel relations}}
On ], ] Ahmadinejad gave a speech at a conference in Tehran entitled "World Without Zionism". According to widely published translations, he agreed with a statement he attributed to ] that the "occupying regime" had to be removed, and referred to it as a "disgraceful stain the Islamic world" that must be "]." <ref name = "WIPED" />

Ahmadinejad's comments were condemned by major ], the ], ], the ] and ] ] ].<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4384024.stm
| title = Annan ‘dismayed’ by Iran remarks
| accessdate = 2006-10-29
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref> ]ian, ] and ] leaders also expressed displeasure over Ahmadinejad's remark.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4387206.stm
| title = UN raps Iran's anti-Israel rant
| accessdate = 2006-10-29
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref> ]'s then ] ] said, “this threat to Israel's existence, this call for genocide coupled with Iran's obvious nuclear ambitions is a matter that the world cannot ignore.”<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.carolynbennettmp.ca/dev/downloads/2005-11-13_Prime-Minister-Martin-Addresses-Jewish-Leaders_Toronto.doc
| title = Prime Minister Martin Speaks Before Jewish Leaders in Toronto
| accessdate = 2006-10-29
| last = Martin
| first = Paul
| authorlink = Paul Martin
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}
</ref>
<!-- <ref name="r31">{{cite web | title=European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood policy: Statement on recent declarations by the President of Iran | work=EUROPA | url=http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/696&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en | accessdate=November 16 | accessyear=2005}}</ref> -->

The translation of his statement has been disputed. Iran's foreign minister stated that Ahmadinejad had been "misunderstood": "He is talking about the regime. We do not recognise legally this regime."<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C02%5C22%5Cstory_22-2-2006_pg4_15
| title = Ahmadinejad misunderstood, says Iran
| accessdate = 2007-09-07
| date = ], ]
| publisher =
}}</ref> Some experts state that the phrase in question is more accurately translated as "eliminated" or "wiped off" or "wiped away" from "the page of time" or "the pages of history", rather than "wiped off the map".<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/jonathan_steele/2006/06/post_155.html
| title = Lost in translation
| accessdate = 2006-12-11
| last = Steele
| first = Jonathan
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}</ref> Reviewing the controversy over the translation, ] deputy foreign editor ] observed that "all official translations" of the comments, including the foreign ministry and president's office, "refer to wiping Israel away".<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/11/weekinreview/11bronner.html
| title = Just How Far Did They Go, Those Words Against Israel?
| accessdate = 2006-06-11
| last = Bronner
| first = Ethan
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}</ref>

Ahmadinejad has compared Israel's actions in the ] to ]'s actions during ] saying that "Just like Hitler, the ] is just looking for a pretext for launching military attacks" and "is now acting just like him."<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.indiaenews.com/middle-east/20060716/15031.htm
| title = Ahmadinejad compares Israel to Hitler
| accessdate = 2006-12-11
| date = ], ]
| publisher =
}}</ref>

On ], ], he gave a television interview to ], a correspondent for ], in which he questioned American support of Israel's "murderous regime" and the moral grounds for Israel's invasion of Lebanon.<ref name = "MA 60 Minutes" />

On ], ], Ahmadinejad met with Palestinian Prime Minister ] in ], ]. At that meeting, he said that Israel "was created to establish dominion of arrogant states over the region and to enable the enemy to penetrate the heart Muslim land." He called Israel a "threat" and said it was created to create tensions in and impose US and UK policies upon the region.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-236/0612026937093956.htm
| title = President Ahmadinejad, Palestinian PM meet in Doha
| accessdate = 2006-12-11
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}</ref>

On ], ], Ahmadinejad addressed the ], and made comments about the future of Israel. He said, "Israel is about to crash. This is God's promise and the wish of all the world's nations." He continued, "Everyone must know that just as the U.S.S.R. disappeared, this will also be the fate of the Zionist regime, and humanity will be free."<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20061212-072558-3819r
| title = Iran students rebel over Holocaust denial
| accessdate = 2006-12-20
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}</ref>

According to Gawdat Bahgat, Director of Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, "the fiery calls to destroy Israel are meant to mobilize domestic and regional constituencies" and that "Rhetoric aside, most analysts agree that the Islamic Republic and the Jewish state are not likely to engage in a military confrontation against each other." <ref> Nuclear Proliferation: The Islamic. Republic of Iran. G. AWDAT. B. AHGAT, Iranian Studies, volume 39, number 3, September 2006 </ref>

==Holocaust denial and accusations of antisemitism==
{{main|Controversies surrounding Mahmoud Ahmadinejad}}
{{See also|Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Israel}}

In December 2005 Ahmadinejad made several controversial statements about the ], calling it "a myth", and criticizing European laws against ].<ref>, '']'', ], ].</ref> In a ] ] interview with '']'' Ahmadinejad again questioned the Holocaust several times, insisting there were "two opinions" on it. When asked if the Holocaust was a myth, he responded "I will only accept something as truth if I am actually convinced of it".<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,418660,00.html
"We Are Determined": Spiegel interview with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad], '']'', ], ].</ref></blockquote>

In response to these statements and actions, a variety of sources, including the ],<ref></ref> have accused Ahmadinejad of ].
On ], ] the "]" opened, to widespread condemnation.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/11/iran.holocaust/index.html
| title = Iran hosts Holocaust conference
| accessdate = 2006-12-27
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}</ref> The conference, called for by and held at the behest of Ahmadinejad,<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1554321/posts
| title = Iran: Holocaust Conference Soon in Tehran
| accessdate = 2006-12-27
| date = ], ]
| publisher = Adnkronos International (AKI)
}}</ref> was widely described as a "Holocaust denial conference" or a "meeting of Holocaust deniers",<ref>*, '']'', ], ].
*, '']'', ], ].
*. '']'', ], ].
*, '']'', ], ].
*"THE CONFERENCE for Holocaust deniers hosted by Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is a transparent polemical stunt." , '']'', ], ].
*"WHAT'S THE perfect way to top off a Holocaust denial conference featuring input from the likes of such scholars as former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke?" , '']'', ], ].
*, '']'', ], ].
*, '']'', ], ].
*, '']'', ], ].
*, '']'', ], ].
*, '']'', ], ].
*, '']'', ], ].
*, '']'', ], ].
*, '']'', ], ].
*"Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaking at a Tehran conference denying the existence of the Holocaust, said Israel will disappear like the Soviet Union." , '']'', ], ].
*"Some are treating this week's Holocaust denial conference in Iran - initiated by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - as an extraordinary occurrence." , '']'', ], ].
*"Israel could not catch a break even during a week where the two big Mideast stories were (a) the Holocaust denial conference sponsored by Iran's president and (b) Fatah and Hamas gunning each other down in the Palestinian territories in a bid to seize control of a government in which they're theoretically partners." , '']'', ], ].
*"A Swedish schoolteacher has been suspended for participating at a holocaust denial conference in Teheran organized by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad." , '']'', ] ].
*"Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr comments on the recent Holocaust denial conference hosted and sponsored by the Iranian government in Tehran." , '']'', ], ], ].
*, ], ], ].
*, The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, ], ].</ref> though Iran maintained that it is not a ] conference.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,453691,00.html
| title = Berlin Counters Holocaust Conference
| accessdate = 2006-12-27
| date = ], ]
| publisher = ]
}}</ref>

==Human rights==
{{main|Human rights in Islamic Republic of Iran}}
Some human rights organizations and many Western governments say the current human rights situation in Iran under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is poor; for example, the ] listed Iran as one of the thirteen worst abusers of human rights in 2006.<ref></ref> According to ], dissidents who oppose the government non-violently face harassment, torture and execution and the election of Ahmadinejad signaled the defeat of "pro-reform" supporters<ref></ref>. According to ], "espect 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 on the one hand the Judiciary, accountable to ], and on the other to members directly appointed by Ahmadinejad. Again according to Human Rights Watch, "ince President Ahmadinejad came to power, treatment of detainees has worsened in ] as well as in detention centers operated clandestinely by the Judiciary, the Ministry of Information, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps."<ref></ref>

Tolerance of public protest varies under Ahmadinejad. Human Rights Watch writes that "he Ahmadinejad government, in a pronounced shift from the policy under former president Mohammed Khatami, has shown no tolerance for peaceful protests and gatherings."

:In January 2006 security forces attacked striking bus drivers in Tehran and detained hundreds. The government refused to recognize the drivers’ independent union or engage in collective bargaining with them. In February government forces attacked a peaceful gathering of Sufi devotees in front of their religious building in Qum to prevent its destruction by the authorities, using tear gas and water cannons to disperse them. In March police and plainclothes agents charged a peaceful assembly of women’s rights activists in Tehran and beat hundreds of women and men who had gathered to commemorate International Women’s Day. In June as women’s rights defenders assembled again in Tehran, security forces beat them with batons, sprayed them with pepper gas, marked the demonstrators with sprayed dye, and took 70 people into custody.

Responses to dissent vary. In December 2006, Ahmadinejad advised officials not to disturb students who engaged in a rowdy protest during a speech of his at the ] in ].<ref> </ref>, although speakers at other protests have included among their complaints that there had been a crackdown on dissent at universities since Ahmadinejad was elected.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,650214386,00.html | title=Students disrupt speech by Iran chief | author=Nazila Fathi | publisher=New York Times News Service | date=], ]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1841632006 | title=Protesters condemn Holocaust conference | author=MICHAEL THEODOULOU | publisher=The Scotsman | date=], ]}}</ref>

==See also==
{{wikiquote}}
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==References==
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===Further reading===
*{{cite book|author=] |title=The Crisis: the President, the Prophet, and the Shah&mdash;1979 and the Coming of Militant Islam|publisher=Little, Brown|year=2004}}

==External links==
{{Wikinews|Mahmoud Ahmadinejad}}
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons|Mahmoud Ahmadinejad}}
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|SHORT DESCRIPTION= 6th ]
|DATE OF BIRTH= ], ]
|PLACE OF BIRTH= ]
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}}
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Revision as of 02:57, 9 September 2007

He should be assassinated.