TEHRAN, Feb 8: Iran’s reformist ex-president Mohammad Khatami on Sunday announced he would stand in June presidential elections in a challenge that could see the ouster of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government.

“I strongly announce my candidacy in the elections,” Mr Khatami told reporters after he held talks with an association of moderate religious scholars.“I never had doubt. Is it possible to remain indifferent towards the revolution’s fate and shy away from running in the elections?” he asked.

“I consider this as a right to run ... This candidacy doesn’t deprive others and the path is open. What should be stressed is that the elections must be held freely.”

Mr Khatami, 65, was president of Iran between 1997 and 2005.

He was succeeded by President Ahmadinejad, a hardliner who is set to stand again and has reportedly received the blessing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Mr Khatami said it was important “to think about the fate of the nation and its long-time desire to be proud, free and to progress and reach justice.”

“I hope I can take steps to remove the people’s problems and also enhance their position in the world.”

In his previous presidential term, Mr Khatami inspired the Iranian youth with promises of social and political reforms while Iran’s relations with the West were less confrontational than they are now under Mr Ahmadinejad.

If he emerges victorious, expectations are that these ties, now frosty over Tehran’s nuclear programme, could begin to thaw.

Western nations accuse Tehran of seeking to make atomic weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear programme. Iran says its atomic ambitions are entirely peaceful.

A close aide of Mr Khatami warned that results of elections in Iran were always of “serious concern”, referring to claims in the past of vote rigging.

“But if the voter participation is high, we can easily win the election,” said Mohammad Ali Abtahi.

Reacting to Mr Khatami’s bid, Mr Ahmadinejad’s media adviser Ali Akbar Javanfekr said the government was more concerned that there was a strong voter turnout than in who would be contesting the ballot.

“We look beyond who is running in the presidential race. What is important for the government is the massive participation of people at the ballot boxes and (Iran) having glorious presidential elections,” he told AFP.