Former vice-president Mohammad Reza Aref in reformist president Khtami’s administration
announced in an interview with the reformist news website Baharestan that he is prepared to run in the upcoming presidential election if Khatami does not announce his candidacy.

While reformists are preparing themselves for the second round of Iran's eight Majlis elections to be held on April 25th, Aref announcement comes as a news shock for reformists and principalists (as Iranian idealogues are called) alike.

In a blunt interview, Aref said, "In my opinion, Mr. Khatami is the best-suited person to govern the country, but if for whatever reason, he prefers not to enter the race, in light of the problems and threats facing the country, I am prepared to enter the field in the upcoming presidential election."

Aref's remarks come at a time when Khatami has asked reformists competing in tomorrow's run-off Majlis elections not to use his name or picture on their campaign posters. Political analysts speculate that Khatami has no desire to participate in the upcoming presidential elections after witnessing widespread violations and irregularities in last month's Majlis elections and the disregard for the expression of his concerns and complaints of the same.