TEHRAN – Hamidreza Baqaee, who used to act as vice president for executive affairs under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has announced his intention to run for president in the May election.

In his announcement, Baqaee has said he is “completely independent” from political parties and that he will run only as “a soldier” for his country, Tasnim reported.

The upcoming presidential election is scheduled to be held on May 19. Hassan Rouhani is expected to run for a second term.

SP/PA