Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been the president of Iran since 2005. Previously the governor of Ardabil province and then mayor of Tehran, he is ultraconservative, known for repealing the reforms of his predecessors. A man of humble origins, he was a civil engineering professor before he entered politics, and he held various political positions in Northwestern Iran. He was appointed to every position he held until he campaigned for president in 2005.

As president, he has proven controversial on the world stage. His international speeches often provoke outrage and walkouts; he denies the Holocaust, and in 2011, he alleged that 9/11 was perpetrated by the US government. Within Iran, there were widespread accusations of voter fraud during the 2009 election. After months of protests, including allegations of torture, by supporters of Mir-Hossein Mousavi, Ahmadinejad's main opponent, the ruling council declared Ahmadinejad the winner; he was sworn in two days later.

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