Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad killed in Israeli strikes

(Patria) - Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who led the country from 2005 to 2013, was killed in Israeli airstrikes, The Jerusalem Post reported, citing the Iranian news agency Labor.

During his political career, Ahmadinejad was known as a radical conservative and an open advocate of anti-Western policies.

His presidential term was marked by frequent statements expressing extreme hatred toward Israel.

Nevertheless, Ahmadinejad also drew global attention with an unexpected move - after the start of the Russian invasion, he publicly supported Ukraine and condemned the aggression.

"Great people of Ukraine, President Zelensky. Your noble and almost unprecedented resistance has exposed the satanic plans of the enemies of humanity. Know that the great nation of Iran stands with you and admires your heroic perseverance," Ahmadinejad wrote in March 2022.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the sixth president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, held office from August 6, 2005. Before becoming president, he was the mayor of Tehran and governor of Ardabil Province.

Although he was president, under the Iranian constitution, the most powerful person in the state remained the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

During his term, Ahmadinejad strengthened ties with Russia, Venezuela, Syria, and the Persian Gulf countries, while simultaneously being a target of criticism from the United States and Israel.

At the center of international tensions was Iran's nuclear program, which Ahmadinejad described as peaceful and necessary to meet the country's growing energy needs.

Because of this, Iran refused to halt uranium enrichment despite United Nations resolutions demanding it.

He argued that Western sanctions imposed on Iran were illegal and emphasized that the country would continue to adhere to the rules of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Ahmadinejad called for the dissolution of the state of Israel, which he said belonged in Europe, and advocated for holding free elections in the Middle East.

He strongly supported Palestinian rights, stressing that they should decide their own fate through democratic elections.

On the domestic front, Ahmadinejad's government launched a gas consumption rationalization plan to reduce state oil expenditure.

He also introduced measures to reduce interest rates that private and state banks could charge their clients.